No family allowance for refugees in basic care: SPÖ wants exceptions for hardship cases

The Austrian Family Ministry faces criticism for its slow handling of family allowance regulations for Ukrainian refugees, with the existing rules expiring at the end of June and a new government proposal only introduced in early July, set for parliamentary approval in the fall. This delay means that since July 1, displaced families have been without this crucial financial support. The new regulation, part of the Family Burden Equalization Act, stipulates that individuals receiving basic support (Grundversorgung) are ineligible for family allowances. Previously, all displaced families received this allowance, provided they were registered with the Public Employment Service (AMS). This change significantly impacts refugees, as family allowances are often linked to other benefits like school travel assistance and childcare subsidies.

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If it had been up to us, we would have extended the current solution for another year or even made it permanent.

The SPÖ (Social Democratic Party of Austria) spokesperson for children and integration, Christian Oxonitsch, accused the ÖVP (Austrian People's Party) of wanting to eliminate the allowance entirely, citing a lack of budget allocation. He credited the SPÖ and NEOS (The Greens) with pushing the ÖVP to expedite the process, leading to the early September scheduling of the family committee meeting. Oxonitsch stated that the current draft, approved by the Council of Ministers in haste, was the only immediate solution possible, but expressed dissatisfaction.

Both the SPÖ and NEOS are pushing for modifications to the current draft, which they feel is insufficient. NEOS family spokesperson Getraud Auinger-Oberzaucher noted that the positive aspect is the introduction of an indefinite regulation, providing some predictability for families. However, the SPÖ has outlined a list of desired changes to mitigate hardship cases. Currently, only children with significant disabilities are exempt from the new rules. The SPÖ advocates for extending these exceptions to include chronically ill children, unaccompanied minors not living with their families, and parents pursuing education, a category that includes many Ukrainian women.

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It was the only thing that was possible for now.

Oxonitsch suggested the possibility of agreeing on case-by-case reviews to address individual hardships. When questioned about the principle that basic support and family allowances represent a double benefit serving the same purpose, Oxonitsch indicated that the focus should be on ensuring families receive necessary support, especially during challenging times. The debate highlights the complexities of integrating refugees and providing adequate social support within the existing welfare system.

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Perhaps we can generally agree on a case-by-case review.