The aliens who obtained the recognition of “political refugee” status, by decision of the “Central Commission for the Recognition of Political Refugee Status”, may have access to the following types of early assistance benefits: maintenance, health and medical care, support for education, integration in the labour market.

The allocation of the benefit ends upon notification to the applicant of the decision granting him/her political refugee status.
Who can apply

The early assistance benefit can only be obtained by refugee status applicants with the right to be admitted but not provided with an accommodation either in the reception facilities financed by the National Fund for Asylum Policies and Services or in State-owned centres.
Therefore, the applicant must meet the requirement that he/she is in a state of poverty to be verified by the police authorities.

What you have to do
The application to obtain the benefit written on unstamped paper with an enclosed copy of the alien’s permit to stay must be submitted to the Immigration Office of the Provincial Police Headquarters which will further it to the Prefecture – Government Territorial Office competent to decide the case.
Benefit beneficiariesA daily allowance of € 27.89 is paid to both the applicant and each member of his/her family over a maximum period of 35 days, in two instalments paid in advance:
- the first instalment which amounts to € 557.80 for each person covers the first 20 days;
- the second instalment which amounts to € 418.35 for each person covers the remaining 15 days;
The second instalment is paid if no reception was provided as envisaged by Legislative Decree No. 140/2005 between the first and the second payment. Otherwise, payment is suspended and no reimbursement of the sum already received is required.
The second instalment is not paid if, during the first 20 days, a decision is rendered by the competent Local Commission for the recognition of political refugee status.

How to collect the benefit
The applicant is required to go to the Provincial Treasury Office (Bank of Italy) with a valid identification paper.
The applicant may appeal against an order of refusal to pay an early assistance benefit and he/she may submit his/her claim written on unstamped paper to the Ministry of the Interior within 30 days.

RELEVANT LEGISLATION
Legislative Decree No. 140 of 28th November 2005
Interior Ministry Decree No. 284 of 24th June 1998
Interior Ministry Decree No. 237 of 24th July 1990
Law Decree No. 416 of 30th December 1989, amended and turned into Law No. 39 of 28th February 1990
Law No. 722 of 24th July 1954 ratifying the Geneva Con