Focus on social welfare: Experts call for more support for the weak

Focus on social welfare: Experts call for more support for the weak

On November 1, 2025, the debate about social welfare will begin in Austria, which will come into greater focus than ever before. Poverty expert Martin Schenk criticizes the current discussion as “totally narrow” because the focus is almost exclusively on child sentences. However, important issues such as housing costs, emergency aid, disabilities and chronic illnesses have hardly been taken into account. Schenk calls for a more comprehensive look at all grievances so that not only individual cases are discussed.

A key issue that Schenk addresses is housing costs. The housing subsidy is based on guideline rates and not on the actual costs, which means that only 40 percent of the maximum social assistance of 1,209 euros can be used for rent. In many regions this amount is not enough and in some cases the housing allowance is even withheld. Schenk demands minimum standards and regulations that are based on the place of residence.

Disadvantages for people with disabilities

Another pressing issue is the discrimination against people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Often these people are not entitled to social assistance as long as parents are able to pay maintenance. In some federal states, those affected are forced to sue their parents in order to receive support. Schenk suggests limiting the maintenance obligation to 25 years in order to improve the situation of those affected.

An additional problem concerns single parents. There is a lack of a uniform definition here, which causes many families to have financial difficulties. In Upper Austria, a large number of parents with adult children are excluded from increased social assistance, which leads to significant financial gaps and makes it difficult for families to provide themselves adequately.

Speed ​​and transparency in emergency aid

Furthermore, emergency aid is often only granted after up to three months, although the law provides for faster support. Schenk calls for comprehensible notices in simple language as well as support from social workers in order to improve the applicants' situation. Current statistics show that 58 percent of welfare recipients are unable to work, with only around a third being able to work at all and eight percent earning too little.

The public debate is often dominated by the image that social welfare payments are “too high”. It should be noted that social assistance only supports the poorest two percent of the population and only accounts for 0.4 percent of the state budget. Schenk emphasizes that social welfare is often overestimated, but that further reforms are necessary to achieve fundamental improvements.

Amid this discussion, which focuses on social issues and support for those in need, other social activities such as summer parties and family water park visits also take place frequently. There are reports of happy children playing in the swimming pool and families having fun together outdoors. Such positive experiences provide a contrast to the serious topics and show that joy in life and social challenges often go hand in hand.

It is becoming clear that the balance between challenges and positive community experiences must be found in both social policy and everyday life to ensure a healthy and supportive society.

For more information on social debate in Austria and social activities, please visit the articles on 5min.at, 123rf.com, and bingehomepagequiz.com.