NGOs criticise exclusion of family allowance for subsidiary protection holders

Particularly serious from the NGOs' perspective is the fact that the federal government has already introduced the amendment in parliament on Wednesday, although the consultation period runs until 24 July. The welfare organisations describe this approach as "demokratiepolitisch bedenklich" and call for the draft to be revised.

Legally, the organisations see no basis for the exclusion. According to the new European Status Regulation, subsidiary protection holders would in principle be entitled to the same social security benefits as nationals. An exclusion from family benefits is therefore "klar rechtswidrig", according to the NGOs.

Legal assessment by the NGOs

Those affected by the regulation would include Ukrainian displaced persons who currently enjoy subsidiary protection in Austria. For their families, the loss of family allowance would have immediate financial consequences, the welfare organisations warn. This would affect a particularly vulnerable group.

The three organisations call on the federal government to withdraw the amendment or at least to tighten it so that families with subsidiary protection continue to receive family allowance. They referred to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which provides for equal access to social security for all children.

Demands on the federal government

Caritas, Diakonie and Volkshilfe are among the largest social welfare organisations in Austria and, together with their members, care for numerous families with a refugee or migration background. They see themselves confirmed in their daily work with affected families by the amendment.

Politically, the criticism comes at a time when the debate over the design of basic welfare support and the financial security of refugees in Austria is already being conducted intensively. The NGOs emphasised that social benefits for children should be granted regardless of residence status.

The statement was disseminated via the Austria Press Agency (APA). The federal government has so far not publicly responded to the allegations of the aid organisations.