in-cyprus 13 January 2020 -Edited by Annie Charalambous
Coupons valued between €320 and €735 monthly are granted to third-country nationals in Cyprus who have applied for international protection of recognised political refugee status or as a beneficiary of subsidiary protection.
From 2013 onwards, social welfare services have provided material items rather than financial assistance at reception facilities to international protection applicants.
However, applicants have to meet a number of criteria in order to receive food, clothing and footwear coupons. And the financial assistance they receive is proportional to the number of family members.
Specifically, one person receives financial assistance of €320 per month. They are given € 150 worth of coupons for food, clothing and footwear. They also receive €100 as a rent allowance and €70 for electricity, water and other minor expenses.
In two cases, applicants for international protection are offered assistance of €420 per month. They are given €225 for food, clothing and footwear and €100 for a rent allowance. They are also given an amount of €95 for electricity, water and other bills.
When it comes to three applicants, the total aid is raised to €580 per month. They are given €300 worth of coupons for food, clothing and footwear as well as a €150 rent allowance. They also receive an amount of €130 to cover electricity, water and other expenses.
In addition, financial assistance of €735 per month is provided when the family of an applicant is more than four persons.
Specifically, they are given coupons worth €375 per month for the purchase of food as well as for clothing and footwear. In addition, they receive a rent allowance of €200 and an additional €160 to cover electricity, water and other expenses.
By Eleftheria Paizanou
