Author
Asylum seekers, in general, are all entitled to reception conditions in the centres of the RFA according to the law during the various types of asylum procedures. Those who opt to live in private housing are not entitled to any state subsidies or reception conditions.[1] In general, asylum seekers are not allowed to legally work for the first six months from the moment of lodging the asylum application.[2] Therefore, those who opt to live in private housing must rely on their savings or undeclared work.
In case of an onward appeal procedure stage before the SAC, asylum seekers are not entitled to reception conditions,[3] and accommodation and a financial allowance is provided only on the basis of exceptions granted by the RFA.[4] Vulnerable persons are usually granted such exceptions.
There is no requirement in the law that would grant reception conditions only to asylum seekers who lack resources.
Asylum seekers are required to contribute towards the costs of services related to their reception. Asylum seekers with sufficient resources must contribute towards the cost of their reception in RFA facilities.[5] At the beginning of the asylum procedure, applicants are informed about the obligation to declare any financial resources in writing[6] and, at the start of the asylum procedure, all individuals are checked to see if they have any finances.[7] In every case, asylum seekers with their own financial resources must always be left with the living minimum, [8] so contributions towards the costs of services provided to asylum seekers are only deducted from the amount exceeding the living minimum. The same applies to detainees and detained asylum seekers. Decree No. 376/2005 sets the daily costs for meals and accommodation [112 CZK (approx. € 4.6) for meal costs and 130 CZK (approx. € 5.4) for accommodation costs].
Asylum seekers are entitled to material reception conditions from the moment they submit their asylum application. All asylum seekers who do not opt to live in private housing are entitled to accommodation, meals and basic sanitary supplies.[9] They are also entitled to a financial allowance if they are actually staying and living in the RFA facility.
Decree No. 376/2005 establishes the regular dates for allowance payouts. A person may lose their eligibility for the allowance if they fail to attend on the scheduled day without a reasonable excuse. If an adult applicant for international protection who is accommodated in a reception or residential centre performs activities for the benefit of other applicants that facilitate the adaptation to the environment of the asylum facility and at the same time contribute to the proper operation of the asylum facility and to improving mutual coexistence with the surrounding community, they may receive increased pocket money. These activities may be carried out on the basis of an assignment made by the head of the asylum facility, up to a maximum of 30 hours per month.[10]
[1] Section 42 of the Asylum Act.
[2] Section 97(e) of the Employment Act.
[3] Section 78d of the Asylum Act.
[4] Section 79(5)(e) of the Asylum Act.
[5] Section 42 (3) of the Asylum Act.
[6] An obligation to declare financial resources is enshrined in section 45(1) of the Asylum Act.
[7] This information was provided by the worker of RFA.
[8] As set out in Act No. 110/2006 Coll.