Cost-of-living compensation collected by the social welfare office in Salzburg
The announcement by the federal government that one-off payments will cushion the sharp rise in prices caused by the war in Ukraine and the ongoing Covid pandemic is very much welcomed by many people on low incomes. However, a permanent and exclusive measure to combat poverty would be more sustainable and even more effective.
With the variety of grants and regulations, there are unfortunately also disadvantages and problems:
Currently he will cost-of-living adjustments decided by the National Council paid out for pensioners with a compensatory allowance in the form of a one-time payment of 150 euros. If you receive social assistance at the same time, there is a risk that this subsidy WILL be deducted from the minimum income or social assistance as additional income.
This is already becoming reality in the first notice from the social welfare office of the city of Salzburg. The social welfare office reduces the social support for an orphan pension recipient by the cost-of-living adjustment.
The federal government did not immediately prohibit the states from accessing the additional support, as was the case with Covid-19 poverty benefits, but only generally stated that the cost-of-living adjustment is not income. However, the federal states could close exceptions in the respective state law.
In order to save the cost-of-living adjustment for the future as well, the federal government must supplement its law with a requirement for the states – or the state government must issue an enforcement order to secure the cost-of-living adjustment. This would have the additional advantage that the resulting bureaucratic effort would be made available.
In any case, quick action is required!