Living with a disability – protection and support mechanisms
People with disabilities face daily challenges of various kinds – whether related to the need for quality medical care, social inclusion, education, employment, and more. In order to lead an independent and dignified life, they need additional support. Bulgarian legislation provides for a number of rights and benefits, which are mainly governed by the Persons with Disabilities Act, the Personal Assistance Act, the Social Assistance Act, the Social Insurance Code, the Bulgarian Sign Language Act and their respective secondary legislation. Other legal documents such as the Health Act, the Pre-school and School Education Act, the Protection Against Discrimination Act, the Roads Act, and others, also contain provisions that concern various aspects of the lives of people with disabilities.
State policy for people with disabilities is implemented by state and local authorities in cooperation with nationally representative organizations of and for people with disabilities, employers, and employees. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy coordinates this policy.
An Agency for People with Disabilities has been established under the Minister of Labor and Social Policy. It participates in the coordinating and monitoring activities in this field. Its activities include administering various programes and projects aimed at promoting employment and social integration. It is also responsible for financing initiatives related to accessible environments and entrepreneurship among people with disabilities.
The Social Assistance Agency is another government body through which social support and services are provided to help people with disabilities overcome difficulties. The agency provides social benefits, prepares individual needs assessments for people with disabilities, and provides methodological support to providers of personal assistance and social services.
Other institutions directly involved in supporting people with disabilities include the National Social Security Institute (disability pensions), the Social Assistance Agency (integration supplements for people with disabilities under 16 years of age, attendant support supplement, etc.), Social Assistance Directorates (free vignette stickers, targeted heating assistance, etc.), the National Health Insurance Fund (funding for assistive devices, aids, appliances, and medical products for people with disabilities, medical services, rehabilitation, medications, and medical devices), the Ministry of Health (Territorial Expert Medical Commissions - TELK) and National Expert Medical Commission - NELK), the Ministry of Education and Science (inclusive education and adapted educational programes for children with disabilities) and other, and at the local level – municipal administrations, which provide personal assistance and social services (personal assistants, social homes, day centers, accessible infrastructure, transport for people with disabilities, and housing support).
The Commission for Protection Against Discrimination and the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria handle complaints and reports about violations of the rights of people with disabilities who have been subjected to direct or indirect discrimination due to their health condition. The administrations of both institutions organise, on a rotating basis, the activities of the established Monitoring Council under the Persons with Disabilities Act, which monitors the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensures compliance with legislation in this area.
All of these institutions work in coordination to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities and their full participation in society.
If you or a family member has a disability, it is important to be informed about your rights and the financial assistance you may rely on. It is advisable to consult the competent institutions in this regard. Here are some of the main steps you need to take.
Certification by TELK
People with disabilities must undergo a medical examination to certify the type and degree of disability or the permanently reduced working capacity. The procedure is carried out by the Territorial Expert Medical Commissions (TELK) or the National Expert Medical Commission (NELK) for appeals or specific cases. TELK also certifies individuals for temporary incapacity for work. The expert decision of TELK/NELK is in the form of an electronic document and is received in person or by an authorized representative, and no fees are charged for this. It must be presented whenever accessing various benefits and entitlements. Detailed information about the TELK certification procedure can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health.
Individual Needs Assessment
People with disabilities have the right to an individual needs assessment, which is carried out at the current address of the person with disabilities by the Social Assistance Directorates under the Social Assistance Agency. The assessment identifies the functional difficulties related to their health condition and the presence of barriers to carrying out daily and other activities. The assessment determines the type of support – monthly financial support, targeted benefits, and allocated hours of personal assistance, as well as other types of support defined by law.
Health Care
People with disabilities have additional rights to medical care that fall outside the scope of mandatory health insurance. They may be eligible for some clinical treatments (use certain clinical pathways) for some types of disabilities, rehabilitation, and balneotherapy depending on the type and degree of disability. They are entitled to assistive devices, aids, appliances, and medical products. These are determined individually based on specific needs according to a medical document issued by medical advisory commissions, TELK, or NELK and in accordance with NHIF specifications. Other entitlements are also provided, such as exemption from the user fee when visiting a doctor for certain categories of people with disabilities, and more.
Social Services
People with disabilities in Bulgaria have access to various social services aimed at support, rehabilitation, social integration, and a more independent and fulfilling life. These services are provided by state, municipal, and licensed private providers, as well as non-governmental organizations.
Home-based social services support people with disabilities in living independently and being active in society, such as using a personal and social assistant or a home helper. Services in the community include physiotherapy and psychological assistance at social rehabilitation centers, day care and social activities at day centers for people with disabilities, accommodation in protected and supervised housing.
For people who are unable to care for themselves, residential services are available for permanent or long-term care, such as family-type accommodation centers and care homes for elderly people with disabilities.
Useful Links to Institutions
Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
Ministry of Labor and Social Policy – FAQs
Ministry of Education and Science
Support for People with Disabilities – Social Assistance Agency page
Agency for People with Disabilities
National Social Security Institute
National Health Insurance Fund
Certification Procedure before TELK – Ministry of Health page
Self-employment – Agency for People with Disabilities page
Commission for Protection Against Discrimination
Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria
Monitoring Council under the People Persons with Disabilities Act
Key Legal Acts
Protection Against Discrimination Act
Vocational Education and Training Act
Pre-school and School Education Act
Regulation on Inclusive Education
Income Taxes on Natural Persons Act
International Acts
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ratified by Bulgaria)
This article has been prepared with the support of the OECD, as part of the project "Strengthening the Capacity for Implementation of the National Financial Literacy Strategy", funded by the EU through the Technical Support Instrument. This material is for informational and educational purpose only. It does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation or offer to buy or sell financial instruments, or the provision of any other type of investment services. More information can be found here.
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