Effects of Cash Assistance in Bulgaria: Post-Distribution Monitoring Results (March 2024)

In 2023, the UNHCR’s cash-based interventions in Bulgaria underwent a transformation to better address the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable households in the country. These households include individuals with disabilities, serious medical conditions, single parents with dependents, and older people without family support.

Instead of providing one-time assistance, the program shifted towards a multi-transfer approach, offering consistent support over four months to meet basic needs. By refining eligibility criteria and aligning transfer values with government assistance levels, the UNHCR was able to provide financial aid to 7,178 individuals (3,054 households) from July 2023 to January 2024.

To assess the impact of the cash assistance program in Bulgaria, the UNHCR and its partners conducted a post-distribution monitoring (PDM) survey. This survey was carried out after cash distributions to gain insights into how the funds were utilized, their impact, and how they contributed to the well-being of the beneficiaries. The survey also aimed to identify any challenges in the delivery and management of cash-based interventions, with the goal of improving future programs.

The results and key findings of the PDM are presented in a report based on a randomized sample of 364 households. The survey was conducted through remote interviews in January and February of 2024. Preliminary results show that the cash assistance was successful in addressing immediate needs, easing financial burdens, and enhancing the living conditions and overall well-being of beneficiaries with the limited resources available.