News

22 June 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva sent an opinion to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy on the draft amendment to Ordinance No. RD-07-5 of 2008 regarding the conditions and procedures for granting targeted heating assistance, published on the Public Consultation Portal on June 16 of this year.

In her opinion the Ombudsman expresses serious reservations about the proposal to pay heating assistance in two separate instalments instead of as a lump sum, as has been the practice to date, and insists that the decision be reconsidered. The aim is to ensure that citizens can choose for themselves how they will receive the heating assistance to which they are entitled.  

“Targeted heating assistance is a social right, not a tool for managing the budget deficit,” Delcheva stated firmly.

According to the Ombudsman, any change in the way this assistance is provided must take into account, first and foremost, the needs of the people who rely on it, rather than just budgetary considerations.

Velislava Delcheva points out that a significant portion of eligible households heat their homes with wood, coal, pellets, and other solid fuels, which are typically purchased in advance and in larger quantities at the start of the heating season. Splitting the assistance into two parts could make it difficult for people to secure the necessary fuel in time or force them to seek loans and additional funds.

The opinion also notes that in many communities, suppliers require payment upon delivery, and purchasing smaller quantities later often results in higher costs. This would reduce the actual impact of social assistance and put the most vulnerable households at a disadvantage.

The Ombudsman warns that such a change could make it impossible to purchase fuel in a timely manner, pose a risk of reduced heating during the winter months, lead to indebtedness, and worsen the health of the elderly, people with disabilities, those living alone, and families with children.

“Social assistance should be based on respect for human dignity and trust in citizens, rather than on the assumption that the state must make decisions for them,” writes the Ombudsman.

As a solution, Velislava Delcheva proposes that, if the option to pay the assistance in two instalments is introduced, this should be done solely at the request of the eligible individual or family, and the choice between a lump-sum payment and instalment payments should be indicated at the time the application-declaration is submitted.