INTEGRATION OF ASYLUM BENEFICIARIES

Integration of aliens who have received asylum is a process where aliens who have received asylum receive the same opportunities to support themselves and participate in public life as other members of Lithuanian society.

The asylum seeker is an alien who has been granted asylum in accordance with the procedure established by the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens.

Support for integration begins at the Refugees Reception Center (hereinafter – the "Center") or in other residential premises provided by the Center from the date of signing the contract between the Center and the asylum beneficiary for support for integration and continues in the territory of municipality, after the Center has signed an agreement on integration support with the institution implementing integration which signs a contract with asylum beneficiary.

I integration stage

Support for integration in the Center or other residential premises provided by the Center is provided for up to 3 months from the date of signing an agreement for support of integration with the asylum beneficiary. If vulnerable persons fail to prepare for the continuation of integration within the municipality within a specified period, this period may be extended by decision of the director of the Center. The total duration of support for integration at the Center or other accommodation provided by the Center may not exceed 6 months, except for unaccompanied minors. For unaccompanied minors who are aliens, their period of support for integration into the center or other accommodation provided by the Center may be extended until they reach 18 years of age.

For asylum beneficiaries in the Center or in other residential premises provided by the Center, the following support is provided for integration: free residence, psychological assistance services, most necessary social, health care and legal consultations, and other legal services, with the exception of state-guaranteed legal aid, intensive Lithuanian language and Lithuanian culture cognitive courses for adults, professional skills and personal qualities are evaluated, labour market services are provided and active labour market policy measures are implemented, the implementation of which is organized by territorial units of the Employment Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.

Foreigners residing in the Refugees Reception Center are paid monthly allowances for meals and pocket expenses.

Integration is important to enable asylum seekers to become fully involved in Lithuanian society and the labor market.

II integration stage

After the end of the period of support for integration in the Center or other residential premises provided by the Center, the director of the center shall take a decision regarding the provision of support for integration in the territory of the municipality. It lasts up to 12 months from the date of departure of the asylum beneficiary from the center or other dwellings provided by the Center.

If, within 12 months, vulnerable people fail to prepare for integration, the period may be extended to a maximum of 36 months.

Currently, two non-governmental organizations (Vilnius Archdiocese Caritas and the Lithuanian Red Cross Organisation), who have won the tender, provide support for the integration of asylum beneficiaries with the territory of municipality. Other non-governmental organizations, municipal social support centers, etc. are also invited to participate in competitions.

Non-governmental organizations provide mentor services. Mentors help an alien to buy essential supplies, rent an apartment, pay cash benefits, organize a Lithuanian language training for an alien, organize a kindergarten visit, school education for children, advise foreigners on all matters, ensure an alien's visit to the Employment Service, help fill in and prepare the necessary documents, etc.

For the asylum beneficiaries during the II integration phase, a monthly cash allowance is provided for essential needs (housing rent, utilities, food, transport, etc.).

Benefits and allowances