Some EU countries are revising their aid programs for Ukrainian refugees in order to reduce budget expenditures and encourage people to work. It is about reducing payments and changing living conditions.
Ireland - all refugees may have their benefits reduced to 38,8 euros
The government of Ireland agreed to reduce payments to Ukrainians who will come to the country from February 2024. Such measures should reduce the flow of asylum seekers, as there is a significant housing shortage in the country.
New arrivals who will live in state-provided accommodation - mostly hotels, but can include monasteries and modular homes - are expected to receive €220 per week rather than €38,80 per week. Refugees will have the right to live in such housing for only 90 days. After that, they will have to look for rented housing or one that is provided by the owners for compensation from the state of 800 euros per month. After moving out of public housing, social benefits will increase.
According to current plans, after the approval of the Senate and the signature of the President, these changes will take effect in the coming weeks. At the same time, the new rules will not apply to those 100 refugees who arrived in Ireland earlier. They have the right to live in public housing for an unlimited time and receive payments of 220 euros.
However, the government is considering the option of further reducing aid. In particular, the Minister of Social Protection of the Population, Heather Humphreys, said that in the future, all Ukrainian refugees may also be transferred to reduced payments of 38,80 euros while they live in public housing. There are about 75 such people now. Another 25 live in Irish homes.
Poland - the current benefits will be valid for another six months
Temporary protection for refugees from the war in Ukraine is valid in Poland until March 4, 2024. The government plans to extend the effect of the relevant special law for six months. By September, the ministers intend to develop new rules for helping refugees.
"We give ourselves half a year to work on changes to the law," - noted Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Poland Wiesław Szczepanski.
Among the possible changes that can be introduced is the cancellation of the temporary protection status after leaving Poland, even for a short time. The government believes that trips home for holidays or vacations indicate that Ukrainians no longer need temporary protection.
Child benefits may also be reduced, but there are no details on this yet. Currently, Ukrainians, on par with Poles, receive assistance for each child under 18 in the amount of 800 zlotys per month (7500 UAH). The government is preparing to hold consultations with ministries, local self-government bodies and organizations that provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
Norway tightens rules and cuts payouts
In the second half of 2023, Norway faced a significant influx of Ukrainian refugees, due to which the possibilities of municipalities to accept people were almost exhausted. In this connection, the Norwegian government decided to equalize the aid to the level of other Nordic countries.
That is why Norway announced a tightening of stay-at-home rules at the start of winter, and the government recently made further proposals to reduce aid. In particular, Norway will not grant collective protection to people with dual citizenship. Also, trips of Ukrainians home may lead to the cancellation of a residence permit in Norway, except in special cases.
Among other changes:
- Norway will not provide financial assistance if Ukrainians decide to live outside the refugee shelter;
- living in shelters with animals will not be possible;
- payments during the introductory program for couples without children will be reduced by 530 euros;
- only those refugees who will live in the country for at least 8200 months will be entitled to a payment of EUR 12 upon the birth of a child;
- basic and additional benefits will depend on the length of stay;
- state aid payments for children under 18 years of age may be canceled by recalculation (hearings on this issue will be held until February 6).
In addition, Ukrainians will be encouraged to work. The authorities will strengthen the familiarization program and set specific requirements regarding its orientation. At least 15 hours a week will need to be spent on work-oriented activities.
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The conditions of free accommodation will be changed in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, online registration for the extension of temporary protection is ongoing. During registration, a person chooses the time of a personal visit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs department to receive a visa sticker for the passport. Online registration will extend a person's temporary protection until September 30, 2024, and obtaining a visa sticker until March 2025.
In 2024, changes in the assistance program are planned for Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic. In particular, from September 1, 2024, refugees will have the right to free accommodation in humanitarian housing for up to 90 days. Until then, such housing will be provided for 150 days. From September 2024, no exception will be made for vulnerable categories of refugees (people with disabilities, mothers with small children), who currently have the right to live in state housing without a time limit.
In order to receive humanitarian payments, which provide for certain amounts to pay for housing and food, it will be necessary to indicate all income from Ukraine. In the questionnaire for assistance, it will be necessary to mark that the applicant gives permission to the employment center to receive information about income from the Ukrainian side. Employment offices will be able to send requests about pensions or benefits to Ukrainian institutions. It will also be necessary to submit a certificate of income that people receive from online work, for example. These funds will be taken into account when calculating the final amount of assistance.
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