The Erzsébet Programme will also continue in 2013; this year, too, tens of thousands of socially disadvantaged children, pensioners, large families and individuals with disabilities may go on holiday to a number of destinations around the country under highly preferential terms.
Thanks to the programme, more than 100 thousand people, including over 30 thousand children, had the opportunity to enjoy a holiday at Lake Balaton or in other locations in the country for a minimal fee in 2012. Based on last year’s positive experiences, the programme organised by the Hungarian National Holiday Foundation will also continue in 2013. As part of the programme, six-day general and thematic holidays and spring and autumn trips are being organised, and attendance is subject to the payment of a mere HUF 1 to 2 thousand fee per child. The programme is designed to assist those who need help on a short- or long-term basis on account of social and financial difficulties. The purpose of the programme is to provide access for children to healthy food suited to their age, to improve their state of health as necessary for the acquisition of skills and to enable them to actively relax.
The Erzsébet Programme draws on the available funds; it is implemented from the profits derived from the distribution of the Erzsébet Vouchers. Consequently, it does not represent an additional burden on the Hungarian state budget. The revenue obtained from the distribution of the vouchers may only be used for the purposes of social holiday schemes, related services and other social programmes. The Erzsébet Voucher is a fringe benefit facility with some 30 thousand merchants which is enjoyed by 2 million people. The vouchers may be used for the purchase of ready-for-consumption meals and foodstuffs. As of 2013, instead of the earlier HUF 5 thousand per month, employers may provide vouchers as fringe benefits to the value of HUF 8 thousand.
Thanks to a legislative amendment, as of August 2012, the Erzsébet Voucher is now available not only as a fringe benefit but also as a social benefit for the purposes of regular social support and regular child protection benefits. As of 2013, in addition to the meal and child protection vouchers, three new types of vouchers will also be available; these are gift, school and leisure-time vouchers. The gift vouchers may be used, amongst others, for the purchase of household electronics, home supplies, books, clothing, health preservation services and leisure-time activities. The school vouchers may be used for the purchase of textbooks, teaching implements and clothing. The leisure-time vouchers may be used for attending sports and cultural events, buying tickets or season tickets for exhibitions in museums and arts facilities, theatrical, dance, circus or musical performances and other cultural services offered by organisations engaged in public education as well as for buying library subscriptions.
(Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)