A total of 4,088 individuals and families received financial assistance from the City of Reykjavík last year, compared to 4,218 the year before. That is a reduction of 3.1 percent between years, according to the city welfare department’s annual report.
Financial assistance is offered to needy individuals and families who have their legal address in Reykjavík and whose earnings are below a certain threshold. The assistance is either provided as a grant or a loan.
Financial assistance in support of individuals in 2014 had a maximum cap of ISK 169,199 (EUR 1,114/USD 1,264) per month and ISK 253,799 (EUR 1,717/USD 1,896) for couples. The assistance is not connected to the number of children a person or couple has, because it is assumed child benefits, child support and child pensions cover the cost of children. Interest relief and housing benefit help cover the cost of housing.
Standard financial support was provided to 3,269 individuals and families, compared to 3,350 in 2013—which was a reduction of 2.4 percent between years. 584 applications for assistance were rejected—including 236 individuals who were denied any assistance at all, which was up from 220 in 2013—a rise of seven percent, Vísir reported.
Individuals and families who received help from the city other than for standard living costs did so because of changed circumstances, study, or sudden misfortune.
