Reduced Social Assistance: Salzburg Limits Aid for Asylum Applicants

In a move that has sparked controversy, the Austrian state of Salzburg has ended three family benefits for asylum seekers as part of broader austerity efforts in social and health services. The changes, which took effect on September 1st, are expected to save around €270,000 annually.

The ended benefits include multiple birth allowances, support for expectant mothers, and emergency aid for families facing death, serious illness, or eviction. The one-time multiple birth allowance was €700 per child, while expectant mothers in financial need received €300-€600 support. Emergency aid for families was up to €3,000.

These payments were available regardless of residency status before the changes. However, the family support provided by the state is intended for Salzburg families, not as an additional benefit for asylum seekers. Basic care for asylum seekers will continue to include accommodation, meals, health insurance, language courses, clothing allowance, and other essential services.

The changes are referred to as the "end of the financial welcome culture" by Deputy Governor Marlene Svazek (FPÖ). The far-left representatives from KPÖ Plus, the Communist Party of Austria in the state parliament, have criticized the measure, referring to it as a "political distraction." There is no publicly available information identifying the politicians who represent the Kritische Bündnis of Die Linke in the Salzburg Land Parliament.

The policy is part of broader austerity efforts in social and health services, aiming for up to €89 million in savings across the sectors. The move has raised concerns about the impact on asylum seeker families, particularly those with newborns or facing emergencies. However, the Salzburg government maintains that the changes are necessary to address budgetary constraints and prioritise resources for the local population.