Question: It’s the second year of my maternity leave. The company that I work for in Bulgaria, however, will cease its activity in a month. I worked there for eight months before going on maternity leave. Am I entitled to claim compensation?
Answer: You will be entitled to a compensation for unemployment if your social security contributions have been paid into the “Unemployment” fund for at least 12 months during the last 18 months prior to ceasing of social security payments. This is what article 54a, paragraph 1 of the Social Security Code provides for. During your maternity leave there is no obligation to pay social security contributions for unemployment, so unfortunately you have no right to receive compensation for being unemployed.