Finnish Immigration Service Accelerates Payment of Reception Allowances For Ukrainian Refugees After Many Delays

In a statement issued on May 6, the Immigration Service revealed that the reception centre services had registered more than 20,000 new clients in the system during these two months, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

In this regard, the Director of Reception, Pekka Nuutinen, said that this situation is very unfortunate for customers who have already fled the war, adding that some of the delays in payment of the reception have been too long, and clients have not received much information.

“Those granted temporary protection receive the services from their assigned reception centre. The reception services include a reception allowance. The reception allowance aims to cover the customer’s basic needs, and the amount is affected by the customer’s income and assets,” the statement reads.

According to the Finnish Immigration Service, applications for receiving compensation are reviewed within the time limits set out in the legislation or within seven days of the week from the submission of the application.

“We have now identified the sources of the issue, and we’re accelerating the payments. If the reception allowance has been delayed, it will be paid retroactively as of the date of applying for temporary protection,” Nuutinen also explains.

In addition, this issue has been greatly influenced by the large number of people coming from Ukraine and staying in private accommodation, and especially these refugees have had delays in payment of the reception. It is estimated that about 70 per cent of these people have applied for temporary protection and are staying in private accommodation.

According to Nuutinen, the refugees staying in private accommodation will be more difficult to reach than those living in reception centres.

In Finland, there are currently around 55 reception centres and points. The reception centre designated for those granted temporary protection is usually their nearest reception centre or service point for those staying in private accommodation.

Meanwhile, before the war started in Ukraine, Finland had only 20 reception centres, but the number of units for juveniles remained unchanged.

These Finnish Service reception centres are located in Helsinki, Lappeenranta (Joutseno), and Oulu. In addition, organisations, municipalities, and businesses manage other reception centres.

Otherwise, at the reception centre, the refugee can obtain the contact information of the designated reception centre when applying for temporary protection. Therefore, it is also important that the applicant for temporary protection is checked at the designated reception centre.

But suppose there are problems with the living or well-being of this person who has temporary protection. In that case, it is advisable to contact the designated reception centre immediately as the centres offer assistance both in the evening and on weekends, if necessary.