Social Assistance
Sozialhilfe
Coverage
- Austrian citizens, persons entitled to asylum, persons having legally and actually resided in Austria for at least five years who cannot sufficiently cover their necessary subsistence from income/assets.
- Before the expiry of this 5-year period, EU/EEA citizens with a right of residence, Swiss citizens and third-country nationals are included only to the extent to which the granting of social assistance benefits is mandatory under international or EU law.
- Persons entitled to subsidiary protection are only entitled to ‘core social assistance benefits’ (Kernleistungen) which do not exceed the level of basic provision (Grundversorgung) granted for asylum seekers.
- More generous rules may be applied in accordance with the assistance of the Länder for disabled persons (Behindertenhilfe).
Financing
- The scheme is entirely tax-financed out of the general federal budget.
Administration
- The administration and organisation of the scheme falls under the jurisdiction of the Länder.
- Local welfare authorities manage the scheme (i.e. review applications, decide on eligibility, and pay out benefits).
Qualifying Conditions
- Legal residence in Austria and income/assets below subsistence level as defined by law.
- Benefits are means-tested based on monthly net incomes and assets of the elderly person and his/her spouse/cohabiting partner; (maintenance) claims against other persons and other government benefits to cover subsistence are also taken into account.
- Excluded from means testing are e.g. assets of about EUR 5,500 per person and self-used property/housing (but possibility to create a lien); persons taking up gainful employment are granted an allowance of up to 35% of their monthly income for a maximum period of 12 months.
Benefits
- The amount of benefits is based on the sum of (mostly flat-rate) benefits for the overall needs minus income and assets.
- Benefits are granted for basic needs, reasonable costs for housing and heating, contributions to healthcare, special needs (e.g. due to disabilities) and one-time needs (e.g. basic equipment, furnishing).
- The flat-rate benefits for basic needs are determined based on the equalisation supplement reference level; benefits granted per person are reduced if adult persons are living together; (digressive) surcharges are granted if the recipient has children.
- Benefits are typically granted for max. 12 months; renewable as long as qualifying conditions persist; benefit payments are suspended if the beneficiary leaves Austria (different minimum periods according to regulations of the Länder).
- Benefit rates are adjusted yearly based on changes in prices/incomes; benefit rates can vary between the Länder, but there are nationwide maximum limits.
- Benefits are not subject to income tax.
Coverage
Financing
Administration
Qualifying Conditions
Benefits
- Austrian citizens, persons entitled to asylum, persons having legally and actually resided in Austria for at least five years who cannot sufficiently cover their necessary subsistence from income/assets.
- Before the expiry of this 5-year period, EU/EEA citizens with a right of residence, Swiss citizens and third-country nationals are included only to the extent to which the granting of social assistance benefits is mandatory under international or EU law.
- Persons entitled to subsidiary protection are only entitled to ‘core social assistance benefits’ (Kernleistungen) which do not exceed the level of basic provision (Grundversorgung) granted for asylum seekers.
- More generous rules may be applied in accordance with the assistance of the Länder for disabled persons (Behindertenhilfe).
- The scheme is entirely tax-financed out of the general federal budget.
- The administration and organisation of the scheme falls under the jurisdiction of the Länder.
- Local welfare authorities manage the scheme (i.e. review applications, decide on eligibility, and pay out benefits).
- Legal residence in Austria and income/assets below subsistence level as defined by law.
- Benefits are means-tested based on monthly net incomes and assets of the elderly person and his/her spouse/cohabiting partner; (maintenance) claims against other persons and other government benefits to cover subsistence are also taken into account.
- Excluded from means testing are e.g. assets of about EUR 5,500 per person and self-used property/housing (but possibility to create a lien); persons taking up gainful employment are granted an allowance of up to 35% of their monthly income for a maximum period of 12 months.
- The amount of benefits is based on the sum of (mostly flat-rate) benefits for the overall needs minus income and assets.
- Benefits are granted for basic needs, reasonable costs for housing and heating, contributions to healthcare, special needs (e.g. due to disabilities) and one-time needs (e.g. basic equipment, furnishing).
- The flat-rate benefits for basic needs are determined based on the equalisation supplement reference level; benefits granted per person are reduced if adult persons are living together; (digressive) surcharges are granted if the recipient has children.
- Benefits are typically granted for max. 12 months; renewable as long as qualifying conditions persist; benefit payments are suspended if the beneficiary leaves Austria (different minimum periods according to regulations of the Länder).
- Benefit rates are adjusted yearly based on changes in prices/incomes; benefit rates can vary between the Länder, but there are nationwide maximum limits.
- Benefits are not subject to income tax.
Legal Basis: Basic Law on Social Assistance (Sozialhilfe-Grundsatzgesetz); Social Assistance Legislation of the Länder (Sozialhilfe-, Mindestsicherungs- und Behindertenhilfegesetze der Länder); Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz 1988).