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Asylum Seeking

Pocket Money for Young Asylum Seekers

Plans are afoot to provide only pocket money to young asylum seekers in Finland. According to the Väli-Suomen syndicated newspaper supplement and other provincial dailies, asylum seekers would be given less than 50 Euros per month. In addition, housing, food and clothing benefits would be provided for children.

Turvapaikan hakija vastaanottokeskuksen neuvontaluukulla.
Image: YLE

Currently, asylum seekers receive 290 Euros per month in so-called reception benefit.

Legislative changes currently being drawn up by the Ministry of the Interior are aimed at deterring those children who send cash benefits received in Finland back to relatives in their home country. Asylum seekers receive more money than those in other EU member states.

Under the new plan, young asylum seekers would receive between 25 and 45 Euros monthly depending on their age.

This year, some 2,700 applications for asylum were received by the end of August. Applications for under-aged persons number just under 200. Most underage applicants come from Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sources: YLE