When can I get financial help from the government while I am in the asylum procedure?
As soon as your asylum application is registered and you are assigned to a camp, you will be provided with a Cash-Card through which you get a monthly allowance according to the number of persons in your family. (See also section
“Upon arrival”) Sometimes it can take weeks until you get the Cash-Card and more weeks until it is the first time charged with money.
Attention: Before registering your asylum claim you have no access to the Cash-Card or other financial help of the state. Once you get a positive asylum decision your Cash-Card will not be charged anymore with money.
Attention: Once you receive a negative decision and if you do not appeal or file a subsequent application and thus remain without a valid asylum seeker card your allowances will be cut and only re-started once you enter the asylum procedure again and are issued a valid asylum seeker card.
I got a positive decision and my cash assistance ended; where can I get financial support?
Currently the only state help you can apply for is the HELIOS program or the “minimum guaranteed income” (former KEA). For detailed information and contacts please check the section “Upon receiving a positive asylum decision”!
Are there (other) social welfare allowances available for me after receiving my positive decision?
Once you get asylum in Greece, you have the right to apply for special welfare allowances and you can seek help for the procedure by the above-mentioned municipality offices (KEM). Realistically, the only one accessible after collecting all necessary documents and if you haven’t been already more than 5 years in Greece are:
- Disability benefits (Greek: „epidoma anapirias“), which are conditioned upon examination by the Disability Accreditation Centre and establishment of over 67% of disability for a person to be eligible for the
severe disability allowance. The disability benefit includes amongst others also persons with HIV, Down-Syndrome, Amputees, transplant recipients, Autism Spectrum Disorder, severe mental illness, Diabetes (1) etc. - if the
respective degree of disability is certified by the competent government service.
Find more information on who gets disability benefits in English here: https://ypergasias.gov.gr/en/persons-with-disabilities/
If you already legally and permanently living in Greece since five years you can also apply for:
- The housing allowance (Greek: „epidoma steghasis“) is available to households of recognized refugees living in rented accommodation or paying a mortgage on their main family home. (submit: residence permit(s), valid legal rental contract, proof of legal residence in Greece of 5 years without interruptions, tax declarations etc.).
- The monthly child support allowance (επίδοµα παιδιού) – ranging from 28 € to 70 € per child according to income and household size.
If you are already legally and permanently living in Greece since 12 years:
- The one-off child-birth allowance (Greek: „epidoma genesis“) is available to mothers who are third-country nationals, including beneficiaries, upon condition that they establish twelve years of permanent and uninterrupted residence in Greece, as demonstrated through the submission of tax declarations.
If you are already legally and permanently living in Greece since 15 years:
- The uninsured retiree benefit, up to a maximum of €360 for an uninsured person aged 67.
Is there any other place I can get help when I am without state support?
There are a couple of organisations and solidarity groups that offer support in food, hygiene items or even shelter to a very limited degree. However, these services change often and it’s best to ask other refugees or social workers if they know where to find such help currently. You can also check here for some contacts.