ASYLUM seekers, refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries are entitled to state benefits – in accordance with the EU – to cover their basic needs and housing.
In 2009, the state paid €15.6 million in benefits and allowances to these groups.
This year’s expenditure was not immediately available.
An asylum seeker receives €452 per month for their basic needs plus a maximum amount of €226 for rent – if the rent is lower then they receive that amount.
At Christmas they are given €452 on top of their monthly allowance plus €110 at Easter.
They also receive around €130 as heating allowance in November.
If they are married, they receive an additional €226 per month for a wife and €135 for a child under 14-years-old. For a child over 14, they get €226.
Asylum seekers are allowed to work after six months but only in agriculture, farming, as part of cleaning crews, and porters.
They continue to receive the allowances until they find work or their application is rejected or they are recognised as refugees.
Those recognised as refugees are basically afforded most of the rights Cypriots have. They can get a job anywhere and will continue to receive benefits if they fail to do so – in the same way destitute Cypriots would – until they find work.
This will not go on indefinitely – usually six months – although it is understood that there is no cut-off point stipulated in the law.
Those given subsidiary protection status can only work in agriculture, farming, as part of cleaning crews, porters and in construction during their first year.
In their second year they too can work in all sectors.
The difference between this group and recognised refugees is that the subsidiary protection status is temporary until the conditions in their country change enabling them to move back.
Unlike subsidiary protection beneficiaries, recognised refugees are provided with travel documents so that they can leave the country if the want to.
Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis said the aim is to cut the application processing times and also implement food and housing programs to save money. In the past applications could have taken years to be processed.
“You can better manage the problem and provide humane (living) conditions. Many take the allowances – and this is a fact I think – and they do not use them properly for their living conditions,” he said.
Sylikiotis said the state has managed to take away an important ‘incentive’ by cutting the processing times.
