legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

however, are not specialised and thus are not always able to meet the specific needs of
unaccompanied asylum seekers.
Young asylum seekers may face important obstacles, particularly if the authorities, following
medical examinations, contest the age they have declared. In such case, the child care services
may refuse to provide accommodation, while access to the normal reception centres may also be
refused based on the age mentioned in the initial application for asylum.
Financial assistance
Upon arrival in France, all asylum seekers receive a “waiting allowance” of FRF 2,000 [EUR
304,9] per adult and FRF 700 [EUR 106,7] per child, which is made as a one-off payment.
Asylum seekers who are not accommodated in a reception centre, receive a monthly integration
allowance – for 12 months only – of FRF 1,800 [EUR 274,4] per adult. No allowance is given for
children. This sum is supposed to cover all living costs for an asylum seeker and his/her entire
family.
Asylum seekers who have found their own accommodation are not entitled to receive a housing
allowance, since this allowance is conditional on obtaining a residence permit valid for at least six
months (they are granted a temporary residence permit valid for three months, which is
renewable).
Food and accommodation in the CADAs are provided free of charge. When meals are not
prepared collectively by the centre’s staff, asylum seekers are responsible for making their own
arrangements.
The Ministry of Solidarity and Employment issued on 29 March 2000 a circular harmonising the
financial assistance granted in the CADA. The new regulation provides for a global social monthly
allowance, which is intended to cover the needs of asylum seekers housed in accommodation
centres.
The amounts granted vary according to the family composition and size and the services
available in the various CADAs, as well as the number of meals received:
All meals provided
1 person FRF 600 EUR 91.4
2 persons FRF 855 EUR 123
3 persons FRF 1,035 EUR 157.7
4 persons FRF 1,260 EUR 192
5 persons FRF 1,500 EUR 228.6
6 persons FRF 1,710 EUR 260.6
Each additional person FRF 255 EUR 38.8
One meal provided
1 person FRF 1,012 EUR 154.2
2 persons FRF 1,402 EUR 213.7
3 persons FRF 1,687 EUR 257.1
4 persons FRF 2,130 EUR 324.7
5 persons FRF 2,587 EUR 394.3
6 persons FRF 3,015 EUR 459.6
Each additional person FRF 480 EUR 73.1
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France