Ombudsman Delcheva Submits Budget Opinion Focusing on Vulnerable Groups.
Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva submitted to the National Assembly an opinion on the draft state budget and the budget of the National Social Security Institute for 2026, warning of a risk of deteriorating social protection for vulnerable groups. She calls for a real public debate and assessment of social effects.
The opinion focuses on the risk of worsening social protection for vulnerable groups in society.
Delcheva warns that the budget decisions for 2026 will have a direct impact on living standards in the country and will most strongly affect vulnerable groups, including pensioners, low-income families and children with disabilities.
According to the ombudsman, support for children with disabilities remains a problem. In her opinion, she again stresses that the lack of a mechanism for annual indexation of these benefits is already leading to a real loss of value and limited access to vital services such as rehabilitation, healthcare and medicines.
Regarding the pension system, Delcheva raises the issue of the adequacy of elderly people’s incomes in relation to price pressure and inflation.
She also highlights the ratio between the minimum pension and the poverty line, warning of the risk of social exclusion for a significant share of pensioners.
The ombudsman believes that, during the discussion of the bill, consideration should be given to ensuring that the minimum pension for length of service and age does not remain below the poverty line set for the country.
Tags: Bulgaria, Velislava Delcheva, Pensions, Ombudsman