{"id":11201,"date":"2025-03-15T03:55:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-15T00:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/?p=11201"},"modified":"2025-09-14T00:24:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T21:24:17","slug":"problem-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/easier-said\/problem-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Asylum seekers in Lithuania: where to find support?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"podcastplayer\"><figure class=\"wp-block-audio podcastplayer\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/s\/1004ea470\/podcast\/play\/99873888\/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-2-14%2F396597976-44100-2-a83db61b50edf.m4a\" preload=\"none\"><\/audio><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"mks_dropcap_letter\" style=\"font-size: 72px; color: #dd3c7a; \">H<\/span>ow 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 \u2014 all of this is now available for asylum seekers. In this episode, we explore the conditions for receiving such support.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>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 Bak\u0161ys, a social advisor at the Caritas Foreigners&#8217; Integration Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f4f4f4\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Episode contents:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"00\" data-seconds=\"00\">00:00<\/a><span>Introduction<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"01\" data-seconds=\"51\">01:51<\/a><span>What is Caritas?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"02\" data-seconds=\"31\">02:31<\/a><span>What kind of assistance can asylum seekers receive?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"09\" data-seconds=\"52\">09:52<\/a><span>Does the type of asylum seeker card (based on the stripe color) affect eligibility for assistance?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"10\" data-seconds=\"56\">10:56<\/a><span>Is this help only available in Vilnius or throughout Lithuania?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"11\" data-seconds=\"17\">11:17<\/a><span>Are private medical clinic services reimbursed?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"13\" data-seconds=\"08\">13:08<\/a><span>Can over-the-counter medications be reimbursed?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"14\" data-seconds=\"15\">14:15<\/a><span>If the Migration Department no longer covers lawyers for appeals, can Caritas help with filing an appeal?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"17\" data-seconds=\"47\">17:47<\/a><span>What levels of Lithuanian language courses are offered?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"19\" data-seconds=\"10\">19:10<\/a><span>Are course completion certificates issued?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"20\" data-seconds=\"41\">20:41<\/a><span>How is public transportation compensated if the person uses discounts?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"21\" data-seconds=\"17\">21:17<\/a><span>Can a psychologist refer someone to a psychiatrist?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"22\" data-seconds=\"59\">22:59<\/a><span>Can Caritas help protect someone from deportation?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"24\" data-seconds=\"15\">24:15<\/a><span>What kind of assistance is available to people with refugee status?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"25\" data-seconds=\"53\">25:53<\/a><span>Until what date is this project valid?<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"meks-ap-timestamp\" class=\"wp-block-meks-audio-player-timestamp\"><a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"meks-jump-player\" data-minutes=\"26\" data-seconds=\"13\">26:13<\/a><span>How to get in touch?<\/span><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s still available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Types of support provided:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Social consultations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Psychological counseling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legal consultations (including assistance with appeals if you were denied free legal aid)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beginner-level Lithuanian language courses (3 months, online, twice a week)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mediation in accessing healthcare (reimbursement for lab tests, consultations, hearing aids, glasses, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One-time reimbursements for: Public transportation passes (currently for 3 months, but starting from July \u2014 only for 2 months due to increased costs), Preschool education (1 month)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Socio-cultural activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volunteer assistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Important! To receive any reimbursements, you must provide: a receipt (or bank statement), an invoice in your name. For medical costs: a doctor\u2019s prescription or medical summary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Contacts<\/strong>:<br>Tomas Bak\u0161ys \u2014 Social Consultant at the Caritas Foreigners\u2019 Integration Center<br>Phone: <a href=\"tel:37068450803\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">+370 68450803<\/a><br>Email: <a href=\"mailto:tomas.baksys@vilnius.caritas.lt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">tomas.baksys@vilnius.caritas.lt<\/a><br><strong>Website:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caritas.lt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.caritas.lt\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>If you would like to be a guest on the Easier Said podcast as a guest or have a question, we invite you to anonymously fill out a feedback form: <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/r\/R6zVM97JfP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/forms.office.com\/r\/R6zVM97JfP<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you would like to participate in the recording, it is possible for those who are in Vilnius, because we record the podcast here. If you are not from Vilnius but want to share your story, we can tell it in the podcast instead of you. In this case, select \u201cHave a question\/suggestion or want to share information\u201d in the second question of the form and tell your story in as much detail as possible, so that it helps other refugees or asylum seekers who have faced a similar problem and have not yet solved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to contact us but are afraid to use comments, you can send us an e-mail. After that it will be enough to delete your letter from the \u201cSent\u201d folder.<br>Our e-mail address is: <a href=\"mailto:help@belarus.fm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">help@belarus.fm<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 Bak\u0161ys, a social advisor at the Caritas [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":9976,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[386],"tags":[352],"class_list":["post-11201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-easier-said","tag-audio-in-russian"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11201\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belarus.fm\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}