Govt moves to reduce allowances for refugees temporarily

The government on Thursday submitted a proposal to Parliament on temporarily reducing the reception allowance and the spending allowance for the asylum seekers, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release on Thursday.

The act would enter into force as soon as possible and remain in force until the end of 2025.

The proposal would amend the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on the Identification of and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (the Reception Act) to reduce the reception allowance and the spending allowance granted to applicants for international protection, beneficiaries of temporary protection and victims of human trafficking since they do not have a municipality of residence in Finland.

The amount to be reduced would depend on whether the person is living alone, living in a joint household or having sole custody of a child, or whether the person is a child.

The act would be in force temporarily. The allowance amount will be reassessed in the reform of the Reception Act to be launched during the spring.

In line with the Government Programme, the allowance will then be reduced to the minimum permitted by the Constitution and the Reception Conditions Directive.

The proposal aims to achieve savings for balancing general government finances. The proposal will be discussed in connection with the supplementary budget proposal for 2024, and it is expected to achieve savings of over EUR 16 million in 2024 and 2025.

The reception allowance is a short-term benefit granted to persons who are in need of support and cannot earn a living through gainful employment or other income or assets.

The basic amount of the allowance helps the recipients to pay for essentials such as clothing, some basic healthcare, public transport and food, if the reception centre does not provide meals.

The spending allowance is intended for children who receive full maintenance from the reception units for minors.