Foreign nationals make up 71% of Kópavogur aid recipients

Kópavogur municipal council has been asked to establish a special task force to review financial assistance and other support systems, mbl.is reports. Foreign nationals now account for 71% of people receiving financial assistance from the municipality, compared with 29% for Icelandic nationals.

The task force would examine possible gaps in the system, incorrect payments and the risk of abuse. It would also review the application process, the verification of information and oversight of payments.

The group would assess the municipality’s social housing arrangements, including allocation rules, waiting lists and whether tenants continue to meet the requirements for residence.

Ásdís Kristjánsdóttir, mayor of Kópavogur, said the composition of financial assistance recipients had changed in recent years. Icelandic nationals accounted for around 57% of recipients in 2021, while the proportion of foreign nationals has now risen to 71%.

She said more people were seeking support from the municipality than before, but that this was not the reason for the proposed review. The aim was also to examine how such matters were handled elsewhere in the Nordic countries and compare Kópavogur’s practices with them.

“We want to support those who need assistance while also preventing the systems from being misused. We have no indications of misuse, but it is time to review the rules and possibly revise them,” Ásdís said.

The municipal council said the review would not focus solely on possible abuse. It would also assess whether the rules were too complicated or unclear and whether services for people entitled to support could be improved.

The proposed task force would include three elected representatives: two from the governing majority, one of them as chair, and one from the opposition. It would also include one employee from the welfare department and one representative from the office responsible for risk and financial management. Members would not receive payment for serving on the group.

The task force is expected to submit its findings and a prioritised action plan to the municipal council by 1 December.