Lithuania to pay additional compensation to refugees

  • 2017-10-11
  • LETA/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – Lithuania's government decided to pay another benefit for asylum beneficiaries, this time for renting accommodation.

The Social Security and Labor Ministry said the compensation will ease the financial burden during the integration in a specific municipality.

"The size of support paid to persons who have been granted asylum is not sufficient to cover their basic needs," the ministry emphasized.

According to its calculations, a person should be paid an average of 314 euros in compensation for accommodation rent during the 12-month integration period. The accommodation benefit for persons resettled under the European Union (EU) quota will be paid from the money the EU has earmarked for integration of the individuals.

Currently, persons integrating in municipalities receive a one-time settlement benefit (EUR 204 per adult, EUR 102 per child and EUR 1,122 per unaccompanied minor after he turns 18). Every month, they are paid a monthly benefit for their basic needs (accommodation rent, utility services, food, transport, etc.), which amounts to 204 euros per person over the first six months and 102 euros during months 7-12.