UNHCR Cash Assistance Eligibility

Only the most vulnerable and poorest of families receive cash assistance (commonly referred to as Iris Scan), therefore the eligibility formula takes in consideration different elements when calculating the prioritisation such as family size, number of disabilities in the family, and many other considerations. The vulnerabilities are considered differently; for example, a widowed woman might have a higher priority than a married woman even if the husband is not in Jordan.

Due to the limited funding, UNHCR must focus on the poorest of the poor. Although we understand you are in need, others who are more vulnerable than you have been selected for cash assistance (commonly referred to as Iris Scan). However, you may be eligible for other types of assistance, such as health services from Caritas.

UNHCR must focus on the poorest of the poor. Although we understand you are in need, others who are more vulnerable than you have been selected for cash assistance (commonly referred to as Iris Scan). However, you may be eligible of other types of assistance, such as health services from Caritas.

If there have been any changes in your family situation since the last home visit, or the last renewal of your Asylum Seeker/Refugee Certificate, and you have not informed UNHCR about it, please approach a UNHCR Helpdesk or contact the UNHCR Helpline (064008000) to update your file.

Having a job or having a work permit is not one of the criteria taken into consideration when reviewing your eligibility for cash assistance. Working or engaging in Cash-For-Work programmes or other livelihoods projects does not affect the cash assistance provided by UNHCR.

UNHCR highly recommends that you obtain a work permit for any work you do. Having a work permit protects you and your labour rights at work.

Cash assistance eligibility does not affect your file’s resettlement opportunities or status determination as an asylum-seeker or refugee.

You may call the UNHCR Helpline (064008000) to request an appeal. If there have been any changes in your family situation since the last home visit, or the last renewal of your Asylum Seeker/Refugee Certificate, and you have not informed UNHCR about it, please approach a UNHCR Helpdesk or contact the UNHCR Helpline (064008000) to update your file.

Kindly note that our assistance is only for refugees living in Jordan, thus if a refugee family left the country their assistance will be cut. In case if they got back, they will require a new assessment of their situation to be re-included into cash.

If the family member who left the country is the cash collector then you should inform UNHCR of that change so that we can designate a new cash collector within the family in order you wont lose the assistance. Also, UNHCR will consider the payment based on the new family size.

Please note that any change in the family composition will impact the eligibility of the family and might cause them to become not eligible for cash

Please be informed that UNHCR does not have access to any banking information of refugees, and that transfers received by refugees from outside or inside the country, whether through banks, exchange offices, or e-wallets, are private and confidential data.

Please be aware that cash assistance is not a long-term solution and depends on the availability of funds, eligibility, prioritizing families who have not received assistance before. Therefore, we encourage all refugees to find alternative sources of income (such as obtaining a job or training opportunities) that can help you secure a stable future for you and your families.