The way of providing material goods to applicants for international protection is changing. Specifically, the state decided to replace the cash it provides to beneficiaries for their basic needs with credit cards.
Already, the Social Welfare Services have announced a tender for the provision of prepaid card issuing services, which will be granted to applicants. Essentially, the way of providing material reception conditions to applicants for international protection will be replaced by the use of a prepaid card instead of cash and checks that are used today. providing material reception conditions.
With the conclusion of the contract, the state will proceed with the purchase of banking, financial, insurance and investment services. The tender has been announced through the electronic system of the General Accounting Office e-procurement and those interested can show interest until September 23.
The material conditions are granted by the Social Welfare Services and includefour types of assistance .They include financial assistance to cover basic needs (food, clothing and footwear) and financial assistance to cover small personal expenses, including electricity and water costs. The amount of the financial aid to cover small personal expenses is determined according to the applicant's place of residence. It also includes financial aid to cover the rent allowance for the owner of the rental property, as well as advance rent.
It is worth noting that the amount of the material reception conditions is determined based on a decision of the Council of Ministers to cover the material reception conditions applicants for international protection.
The amountfinancial assistance
Amounts are determined based on the number of family members, are the maximum and under no circumstances may they be exceeded. For example, in the case of a family of one person the allowance for food, clothing and footwear is €186, the costs of electricity, water and other small expenses when a rental contract is €75 and without a contract €28. Also, the rent allowance for one person amounts to €100 and is the same for all cities. That is, the amount of material conditions is a total of €361 per month.
In the case of a family of two persons,an amount of €279 is paid for food, clothing, etc., €100 for electricity and other expenses when there is a rental contract and €37 without. At the same time, this couple can receive a rent allowance of €200 if they rent in Nicosia, €218 if they rent in Limassol, €174 if they rent in Larnaca and €146 if they rent in Paphos and Famagusta. That is, the specific couple receives a maximum amount of €597 per month.
In the case of a family of three, the amount of expenses for food and clothing is €372 per month, €140 for electricity and other expenses when there is a rental contract and €52 without. The rent allowance in Nicosia for this family is €290, for Limassol €317, for Larnaca €252, for Paphos and Famagusta €211. The monthly assistance received by a family of three will range up to €764.
For a family of four, an amount of €465 is granted for food, €170 for electricity, while the amount of rent varies at the same levels with those received by a family of three. The financial assistance of the specific family can reach up to €952 per month.
In the case of a family of five€558 is paid to cover food and clothing expenses, €200 for electricity and other expenses , while the rent allowance if living in Nicosia is €364, in Limassol €397, in Larnaca €315 and in Paphos and also in Famagusta €265. The total amount granted to a family of five is up to €1,155.
According to relevant data, in the last four years the state has paid an amount in excess of €500 million. for costs related to immigration and the asylum and international protection regime. This year, by the end of the year, it is estimated that €104 million will be spent.
source: Philenews
