For over 242,000 citizens and families approved for heating assistance for the 2026/2027 season, managing the funds has become a significant practical challenge. Although the disbursement of benefits began on August 15, according to data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the current procedure of transferring the amounts in two tranches is facing strong opposition from the affected individuals, the Ombudsman's office reported.

Velislava Delcheva issued an official recommendation to the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Nataliya Efremova, urging for a discussion on a more flexible regime. The public defender's proposal is for households to choose themselves whether they want their funds to be paid in a single lump sum or in two installments. The argument is that social support should be tailored not only to the effective use of public resources but also to the actual needs and heating methods of each individual.

At the heart of the initiative are numerous complaints from citizens dissatisfied with the changes to Ordinance No. RD-07-5 of 2008. A concrete example of the absurdity of the current system is provided by an 83-year-old pensioner living alone. He was granted an allowance of 321.95 euros for solid fuel, split into 128.78 euros for November and December 2026, and 193.17 euros for the period from January to March 2027. The pensioner points out that this schedule is highly impractical, as firewood must be purchased and delivered before the onset of winter frosts, and suppliers often demand full payment at the time of delivery.

Delcheva emphasizes that she had expressed these concerns during the public consultation process for the changes. She notes that for consumers of coal, pellets, and wood, the timing of receiving the money is critical for the assistance to actually fulfill its purpose. "I believe that providing such a choice would allow for individual needs of citizens to be taken into account, without hindering the implementation of deferred payments for those for whom this method is suitable," adds the public defender.