2.8 billion euros annually – currently over 470,000 recipients
Vienna (OTS) – The care allowance is one of the most important pillars of the Austrian care system. The federal law came into force exactly 30 years ago on July 1, 1993. This introduced a nationwide, seven-level care allowance – for Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch “a milestone for hundreds of thousands of people in need of care and their relatives”. When it was introduced in 1993, around 256,000 people received care allowances from the federal government, and now there are over 470,000. Depending on the extent of the need for care, you will receive between 175 and 1880 euros per month. The federal government spends 2.8 billion euros on this every year. ***
Many people need long-term care or support because of their age, illness or disability. With the introduction of the nursing allowance in 1993, a large gap in the Austrian social system was closed.
To ensure that those in need of care and their relatives can afford good care, the financial support has been staggered into seven care levels. They range from 175 euros in care level 1 to 1879.5 euros in level 7. Since 2020, the amount has been adjusted annually for inflation. Many other subsidies are associated with the classification of the care allowance. The federal government currently pays out 2.8 billion euros a year throughout Austria.
The long-term care system has been continuously developed since it was introduced. The two parts of the care reform last year and this year also provide for improvements:
- Increase in the hardship allowance for people with severe mental disabilities or dementia from January 1, 2023
- Elimination of the crediting of the increased family allowance from January 1st, 2023
- Relatives bonus for caring relatives from July 1st, 2023
- Initial assessment by qualified nursing staff in the nursing allowance procedure
- Expansion of home visits for quality assurance
- Legal entitlement to care leave allowance when accompanying children and young people during rehabilitation stays
Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch: “The introduction of care allowance 30 years ago was a socio-political milestone. This form of support has become an integral part of the Austrian social system. It makes it easier for those in need of care and their relatives to receive the appropriate care. It is a win for all those affected that we were able to further improve this system as part of the care reform.”
Questions & contact:
Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK)
press officer@sozialministerium.at
sozialministerium.at
