Reduction and optimization of the reception network for asylum seekers in Belgium

Due to the decreasing inflow of asylum seekers in Belgium, the reception network will be gradually decreased and the implementation of the new reception model will be resumed.

Logo Fedasil

Because of decreasing influx of asylum seekers, the government adopted a plan for the gradual decrease of the reception network for asylum seekers in June of this year. The implementation of the new reception model can also resume: with this model, preference is given to collective reception and vulnerable people and people with a high chance to receive international protection are placed as a priority in the individual care. A link is also established between the reception and the asylum procedure by providing specific guidance for the applicant who has reached the end of his procedure, regardless of whether its outcome is negative or positive.

Since 1 August 2016, there is a new instruction from the reception agency, Fedasil, regarding the transition from material reception (for asylum seekers) to financial assistance from the Public Social Welfare Centers.

It concerns:

  • residents in collective reception centers who obtain a residence permit for a period longer than three (e.g. recognition as a refugee; granting subsidiary protection; …).
  • residents who are cared for under the resettlement program and who resided a minimum of 3 to 6 weeks in a collective reception center.

These residents have the choice between two options:

  • Either to leave the reception at very short notice if they have their own solution for housing. In this case, the resident will receive meal vouchers ( "assistance early departure")
  • Either to get reception and support in a Local Reception Initiative (LOI), or in case of a specific vulnerability in reception places of the NGOs Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen and Ciré ("transition in the individual reception") for a period of two months.For residents under the resettlement programme, the period is not two, but six months from the allocation to individual reception place on.
Publication Date: Fri 30 Sep 2016
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