No money for energy: 5-fold mother turned off hot water – Austria News
The energy price crisis poses serious challenges for Austrians shortly before winter. Many can no longer afford electricity and gas.
The cost explosion in energy prices is hard on the Austrians. Many do not know what to do anymore, can no longer afford the bills for electricity and gas – and are ashamed of their lack of money.
“The warm water of a single mother of five children was simply turned off because she could not pay the high additional payment,” Red Cross Secretary General Michael Opriesnig reported on Tuesday about a particularly tragic case. Only days later would the woman have dared to go to the counseling center. “The shame was too great to have to ask for help.”
“People like you are the most affected by the current price increases and need all possible support!”, states Opriesnig. He is therefore now asking all wealthy people in Austria to “donate their climate bonus of 500 euros now and thus help people in need directly!”
173 million for millionaires
Because while some have hardly anything left, the currently around 346,000 millionaires in Austria (still) easily put up with the inflation. Because of the watering can mode of the climate bonus, they too will each receive 500 euros from the federal government until the end of September. According to the Red Cross calculation, the total is around 173 million euros. Money that the aid organization would prefer to see given to those in need. This has now become one own donation page for the climate bonus furnished.
“In the next few months, more and more people will not have enough income to be able to finance their basic needs. Poverty mainly affects old people, often also family members who care for them, the chronically ill, those living alone and, as a result, children. That’s why we have to be very specific start here to break the spiral of poverty. Thank you for your spending!”, says Michael Opriesnig.
Climate bonus trickles into accounts
Since the last week of August, the super bonus of 500 euros per (adult) nose has been paid out against inflation – however, the speed is more like a dripping faucet than a watering can, with which the measure is often raised by critics.
Every day, 300,000 citizens receive the money transferred to their account – more is technically not possible at the moment. With around 7.4 million beneficiaries, the process takes around 25 days at best.
Read more: Climate bonus not there yet? That’s why you have to wait
Treasury Secretary on gluttons
While some can hardly afford the energy costs, there are also many who throw their 500 euro bonus straight out the window. While some shoot themselves with outrageously expensive vodka, others hit the floor with it on vacation. Finance Minister Magnus Brunner views this development with concern. It makes him “uncomfortable,” he said in a recent interview.
Read more: Climate bonus squanderers worry Minister Brunner