Estonia has changed the rules of assistance to Ukrainian refugees since September 11
Ukrainian refugees who have found shelter in Estonia continue to face new challenges, among which the issue of providing housing plays an important role. Taking into account the increase in the number of Ukrainians staying in the country for a long time, the government of Estonia decided to make changes to the program of providing one-time assistance for housing rent. Starting on September 11, these changes will have a significant impact on those who plan to use support in this direction. The new conditions limit the possibility of receiving compensation to only those refugees who have recently arrived in the country, causing concern among those who have been in Estonia for more than a year.
From September 11, 2024, the Department of Social Insurance of Estonia will introduce new rules for the provision of one-time housing rental assistance for Ukrainian refugees. Previously, such assistance was provided to all Ukrainians who needed support, regardless of the length of stay in the country. However, the program has now undergone significant changes.
Who can receive compensation
According to the new rules, one-time housing rental assistance will be provided only to those Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Estonia after the start of a full-scale war — from February 24, 2022. In addition, temporary protection granted by the Estonian authorities is a mandatory condition. That is, only those who have officially received this status will be able to apply for financial support.
The maximum amount of assistance
The maximum one-time benefit per household is EUR 1,200. It is important to note that this amount does not depend on the refugees’ income, that is, it can be received by everyone who meets the basic criteria. However, the new restrictions apply not only to the time of arrival in the country, but also to the application deadlines.
Deadlines for submitting an application
If earlier the assistance was provided without significant restrictions, now the application for compensation can be submitted only within the first six months after receiving the first residence permit in Estonia. This means that those refugees who have already lived in the country for more than a year and have not used help before, will lose this opportunity after September 11.
Application submission procedure
In order to receive assistance, several conditions must be met. First, refugees must be officially registered with the local government. Secondly, they must have the status of temporary protection. Only after meeting these requirements will they be able to file a claim for compensation.
Explanation from the Department of Social Insurance
Director General of the Department of Social Insurance, Maret Maripuu, emphasized that there are currently a large number of Ukrainian refugees in Estonia who have been living in the country for over a year. Many of them applied for housing rental assistance after extending their original residence permit. However, with the new changes, this option will no longer be available to them. The department argues for these innovations by the need to review the conditions for providing assistance to newly arrived refugees in order to optimize resources.
Changes in the rules for providing housing rental assistance for Ukrainian refugees in Estonia indicate the government’s desire to optimize the support system and direct resources to help new arrivals. However, these innovations leave out those who have been living in the country for a long time and continue to face financial difficulties. It is important that refugees are well informed about the new conditions and apply for compensation in a timely manner in order not to lose the opportunity to receive the necessary support.
