Suche
Mein Konto
Social welfare in danger: Linzerin loses support through holiday photos!
A woman from Linz loses 50% of her social security benefits because of vacation photos. Clear regulations in Upper Austria are causing dissatisfaction.
Social welfare in danger: Linzerin loses support through holiday photos!
In a sensational case from Linz, Upper Austria, a 50-year-old woman had her social assistance drastically reduced. The reason for this? Vacation photos she shared on social media. The relevant authority decided to reduce financial support for the woman and her 16-year-old son by 50%. According to the strict guidelines for social assistance recipients in Upper Austria, it is not permitted to receive social benefits while on vacation. Helmut Mitter, head of social welfare in Linz, emphasizes: “Vacation is not planned.” This decision came after the woman had already received over 34,000 euros in social assistance since 2015, prompting the authority to review her payments.
Social assistance in Upper Austria serves to support people who are in social need and cannot cover their own living expenses, as can be seen from this Information about ongoing monthly cash benefits emerges. The legal requirements stipulate that social assistance recipients must adhere to certain rules. Holidays are not permitted for this group, and stays outside Upper Austria are only permitted to a limited extent. A corresponding notification to the district administration is necessary. Otherwise, social assistance will be suspended during your absence. These strict regulations aim to ensure the integrity of the social assistance system and prevent abuse.
Rules and verification procedures
Current regulations require social assistance recipients to demonstrate that they are actively seeking self-sufficiency. Characteristics such as account statements or information from third parties are used for verification. Every year around 500 people are faced with cuts or cancellations of their benefits. However, the possibility of asking for support again remains if those affected can prove that they are seeking their own resources. These regulations were introduced to help combat poverty and social exclusion, such as Cosmo reported. It remains to be seen whether this case will trigger a rethink among the decision-making bodies.