These social benefits are to be increased – Austria-News
If Caritas has its way, some social benefits will soon be increased significantly. President Michael Landau appeals to politicians.
Inflation and the associated increases in prices are causing a lot of problems for many citizens in Austria. Solutions are now expected from politicians. Caritas President Michael Landau is also appealing to the federal government.
High inflation hurts people
“We see it in our 56 social counseling centers and in food expenditure all over the country: the price increases have already reached the people in Austria. If we are now experiencing the strongest inflation in 40 years, we have to respond to this situation with the strongest welfare state.” , so Landau in an interview with the “Kathpress”.
Caritas is currently noticing a real rush to the aid facilities. It is therefore particularly important that the weakest in society in particular are helped. Landau assumes that the number of people who visit the Caritas social counseling center has increased by 30 percent. The people would therefore urgently need relief now.
More emergency aid
Specifically, Caritas is calling for further emergency aid, but reliable solutions are also needed. “In order to help quickly now, we are calling for an extraordinary adjustment to social and family benefits as of July 1st and compensation for the loss in value over the past few years,” says Landau. For example, family allowances have increased sporadically and insufficiently; the last time in 2018. However, minimum pensions, care allowances and help with rental costs and energy are also expected to increase.
In the long term, Caritas would like “less watering can and more targeted and sustainable support”. The President states: “In its government program, the federal government has stated that it wants to halve poverty in Austria. To do this, the NEW social assistance must again become a real minimum income, which starts with the reality of the people affected, for example where the housing costs are concerned .”
A rethinking is also to begin in family and care policy. Accordingly, the family bonus should be changed so that it is no longer only lucrative for high and higher earners. In addition, a second year of kindergarten is to be introduced.