How can an asylum seeker access medical or psychological assistance without having health insurance? Who can now help prepare an appeal after a rejection, if state-provided lawyers are no longer available? Where can one begin learning Lithuanian while waiting for a decision? Medication reimbursements, public transportation benefits, kindergarten support — all of this is now available for asylum seekers. In this episode, we explore the conditions for receiving such support.
Asylum seekers arriving in a new country face not only legal barriers but also everyday challenges. In Lithuania, one of the few organizations helping them adapt is Caritas. What is Caritas, which social groups does it support, and how does it assist asylum seekers? We speak with Tomas Bakšys, a social advisor at the Caritas Foreigners’ Integration Center.
Episode contents:
The Caritas project supporting asylum seekers is available across Lithuania until the end of 2025. It is recommended to make use of this opportunity while it’s still available.
Types of support provided:
- Social consultations
- Psychological counseling
- Legal consultations (including assistance with appeals if you were denied free legal aid)
- Beginner-level Lithuanian language courses (3 months, online, twice a week)
- Mediation in accessing healthcare (reimbursement for lab tests, consultations, hearing aids, glasses, etc.)
- One-time reimbursements for: Public transportation passes (currently for 3 months, but starting from July — only for 2 months due to increased costs), Preschool education (1 month)
- Socio-cultural activities
- Volunteer assistance
Important! To receive any reimbursements, you must provide: a receipt (or bank statement), an invoice in your name. For medical costs: a doctor’s prescription or medical summary.
Contacts:
Tomas Bakšys — Social Consultant at the Caritas Foreigners’ Integration Center
Phone: +370 68450803
Email: tomas.baksys@vilnius.caritas.lt
Website: https://www.caritas.lt/
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