The German government undertook not only to provide asylum to Ukrainian refugees and payments for basic necessities, but also to pay for medical insurance. However, due to bureaucratic procedures, the receipt of funds from the state budget to the accounts of insurance companies was delayed. These companies now send payments directly to refugees.
This situation arose due to a gap in the time of providing social assistance and paying insurance premiums. In order to avoid sanctions or court delays, lawyers advise Ukrainian citizens in Germany to pay bills sent by insurance companies in letters. You can get a refund for it later.
“We advise you to pay the amount indicated in the letter from the insurance company on your own. At the same time, please forward the letter to the institution that is responsible for you – sotsialamt (social service) or job center (employment center). In the letter, indicate that you are already on your own have paid this contribution and are asking for compensation from the social institution”, – emphasized in organizations, specializing in helping Ukrainians.
It will be recalled that in some cities in Germany, the municipal authorities send official letters to refugees with the demand to leave social housing, which was paid for from the state budget. Now Ukrainians are obliged to look for apartments and pay their rent on their own.
The fact is that citizens of Ukraine in Germany do not receive the status of refugees, but the status of temporary protection. This gives Ukrainians the right to be officially employed and to have freedom of movement – to choose any place to live in Germany. On the other hand, it relieves local authorities of the obligation to provide our fellow citizens with free housing. Nevertheless, Ukrainians still have the right to receive social benefits in Germany.
