Social assistance reform: German course and 13 weeks of work to secure full amount
Social Affairs Minister Korinna Schumann has submitted the draft for a nationwide uniform social assistance system to coalition partners ÖVP and NEOS. The documents are available to the news agency APA. The draft is not yet public and has not yet been passed, but for the first time, it concretely describes what the amount of the benefit will depend on in the future.
The core element is a two-stage integration allowance. The first supplement, which ensures the coverage of living expenses, will only be granted to those who can provide proof of compulsory schooling or certification of German language acquisition and the understanding of Austrian values. The second supplement, which brings the total to the full social assistance amount, will be granted to those who have held a job subject to full social security contributions for at least 13 weeks or have participated in an Employment Service (AMS) program. For adults, fixed rates equivalent to the compensatory supplement reference rate are to apply.
For children, the previous leeway granted to the federal states is to be abolished in favor of a fixed minimum rate, divided into a cash benefit and a benefit in kind. Additionally, a participation card is planned for children from households that are just above the social assistance threshold. It is intended to facilitate access to school, sports, and hygiene supplies, learning support, and holiday activities in clubs. 60 million euros per year are earmarked for this starting in 2027. Special payments, i.e., the 13th and 14th installments, are to remain exempt from being counted toward income nationwide. Increased protection is planned for people with disabilities.
The background is also a legal one. The Constitutional Court has struck down both the maximum rates for children and the direct link between full social assistance and language proficiency. The new draft must therefore hold up under constitutional and EU law, which explains the two-stage structure.
Nothing has been decided yet, and there is already criticism from the Vienna ÖVP. However, those receiving social assistance should start organizing their own records now: proof of compulsory schooling, German certificates, confirmations of AMS courses, and proof of employment periods. According to the draft, these are exactly the documents that will determine the amount of your benefits in the future.