Vienna in financial shortage: Minimum security for large Syrian families on the brink!

Vienna in financial shortage: Minimum security for large Syrian families on the brink!

Wien, Österreich - The city of Vienna faces a financial challenge in terms of minimum Vienna. An internal letter from finance director Christoph Maschek documents that the city can no longer afford the current design of minimum security without making savings in other areas. This alarm sign is taken up by various political representatives, in particular by the Vienna People's Party, which calls for a change of course in the city's social policy. Markus Figl, managing party chairman of the ÖVP Vienna, emphasizes the need to adapt the system to set the course for the future.

The focus is particularly on the high payment of over two million euros a day. A large part of the recipients are long -term recipients, which, according to club chairman Harald Zierfuß, leads to an illegal discrepancy with the neighboring federal states. The city continues to pay for full minimum security to subsidiary beneficiaries, which does not match the federal law requirements. The critical perspective is reinforced by local councilor Ingrid Korosec, which indicates injustice that many Austrians have to save, while the social system is burdened by payments to people who have never paid into the social security funds.

How does Viennese minimum security work?

Viennese minimum security (WMS) aims to combat poverty and social exclusions and to secure the existence of weak people and to promote their integration into the labor market. This help can be applied for by people with too low incomes, with the minimum security up to a legally defined minimum standard. For single people, this minimum standard was 977.94 euros in 2022. WMS recipients also have to prove a will to work and accept reasonable employment, with some exceptions to apply.

The risk of poverty affects different population groups. In 2022, an annual average of 134,303 people, which represents a decline compared to previous years. The demands also vary: 42.1 percent of the WMS recipients were recognized refugees, followed by Austrian citizens with 39.6 percent. Third-country nationals or EU citizens represent the smaller part of the recipients, but are severely affected by social isolation and high poverty risks.

structure and financing of social benefits

In Austria, 91 percent of all cash benefits from the social protection systems are granted without a need for needs. These are often based on social security principles or an unconditional claim based on risk situations. Although these systems sustainably reduce the risk of poverty risk to many people, there is still a considerable number of people for whom the regulations remain insufficient. Additional services are often offered within the social security systems, but are bound to income and asset examinations.