Social Solidarity Income.

What is the Social Solidarity Income?

The Greek state provides a special support program called the Social Solidarity Income (SSI). It aims to support people that have residency in Greece and live in extreme poverty. Recipients receive regular income each month, but there is a strict eligibility criteria.

Am I eligible for monthly financial support?

You can not apply for Social Solidarity Income if you are still an asylum seeker. The program is only for people that have residency in Greece, that means you need to have a residence permit (“ID card”) from the Greek authorities. Only households living in extreme conditions qualify for the Social Solidarity Income.

This includes homeless refugees and unemployed individuals with little or no regular income. You will either need a homelessness certificate in case you are homeless or a renting contract on your name for at least the last 6 months before applying. Also if you receive other benefits, like for example from the Helios project or the cash card, you might not be eligible for the Social Solidarity Income.

What kind of support will I receive?

If you apply for the Social Solidarity Income, your financial situation in the last 6 months will be assessed and then depending on your income it will be determined if you are eligible for the Social Solidarity Income. An individual who fulfills this criterion can receive up to €200 per month but this is means tested - meaning the more income you have received in the last 6 months, the lower your monthly income will be.

Families living together will additionally receive up to €100 for the second adult and up to €50 for every further adult or dependent child in the household. The total amount of support depends on the size of the family, but there is a €900 cap for all households, irrespective of size.

What kind of documents do I need?

You will need the following documents, when applying for the Social Solidarity Income:

• A valid residence permit,

• AFM (Greek tax number),

• AMKA (Greek social security number),

• a bank account from a Greek bank,

• an email address,

• a current tax declaration,

• if you are unemployed, your unemployment card,

• if you have children under 15 years, you need a document proofing that your children are enrolled in school, for each of your children,

• proof of any income you have had in the last 6 months (like for example from work, cash card or social benefits),

• a renting contract and electricity bill in your name in a place you have rented for at least 6 months before submitting your application,

• or in case you are homeless, an official certificate of homelessness.

Where can I apply for the Social Solidarity Income?

You can apply for the Social Solidarity Income either at the Community Centers (“Κεντρο Κοινοτητας”) or at the Center for Integration of Migrants and Refugees (“Κέντρο Ένταξης Μεταναστών”). You will also receive more detailed information about if you are eligible for the Social Solidarity Income and what documents might be needed in your individual case. You will also be informed where you can get a homelessness certificate in case you need one. It will be best to arrange an appointment via phone. As often there will not be translators available, please make sure to bring somebody who can speak English or Greek to arrange the appointment and for the appointment itself.

Here you can find a list of all the Community Centers (“Κεντρο Κοινοτητας”) in Greece. The list is unfortunately only available in Greek.