Reception Conditions A. Access and forms of reception conditions 1. Criteria and restrictions to access reception conditions Indicators: - - Are asylum seekers entitled to material reception conditions according to national legislation : o During the accelerated procedure? Yes Yes, but limited to reduced material conditions No o During border procedures: Yes Yes, but limited to reduced material conditions No o During the regular procedure: Yes Yes, but limited to reduced material conditions No o during the Dublin procedure: Yes Yes, but limited to reduced material conditions No o During the appeal procedure (first appeal and onward appeal): Yes Yes, but limited to reduced material conditions No o In case of a subsequent application: Yes Yes, but limited to reduced material conditions No Is there a requirement in the law that only asylum seekers who lack resources are entitled to material reception conditions? Yes No In Greece, in practice, asylum seekers, including those transferred back to Greece or waiting for a transfer to another EU Member State under the Dublin Regulation, in general do not benefit from any material support, notwithstanding the legal obligation of the State to provide accommodation and minimum financial assistance laid down in legislation. Many asylum seekers, including children are homeless or living in sub-standard accommodation. Article 12 of the Presidential Decree 220/2007 furthermore requires the authorities competent to receive and accommodate asylum seekers, namely the Services of the Ministry of health and Social Solidarity to take adequate measures in order to ensure that material reception conditions are available to applicants for asylum. These conditions must provide applicants with a standard of living adequate for their health, capable of ensuring their subsistence and to protect their fundamental rights. According to Article 17 Presidential Decree 220/2007, the above mentioned standard of living must also be provided to persons who have special needs as well as to persons who are in detention. In case of asylum seekers with a degree of disability of over 67%, certified by an assessment of the relevant Health Committee, the Ministry for Health and Social Solidarity must provide them with a disability benefit for the duration of the examination of their asylum application and if the accommodation of these persons in Accommodation Centres is not feasible. This benefit must be paid by the competent services of the Prefecture where the applicant resides. Prefectures are self- governing sub- units of the government divided according to certain geographical boundaries. There are 54 Prefectures, or Sub- Units in Greece. The provision of all or some of the material reception conditions and health care is subject to the condition that applicants do not themselves have sufficient means, which allow them to maintain an adequate standard of living adequate for their health and capable of ensuring their subsistence. This condition must be verified by the authorities competent to receive and accommodate asylum seekers. If it becomes clear that the applicant has sufficient means, these authorities may stop providing reception conditions to the extent that the applicant’s subsistence needs are covered by own sources. Applicants 38