Social assistance

In 2009, a total of some 247 600 people were reliant on social assistance benefits in order to secure necessities of life. This number comprises 173 800 people who were supported by social assistance in private households, and 73 800 beneficiaries of social assistance in homes for the elderly and nursing homes. Compared with 1999, the number of beneficiaries of social assistance increased by around 111 000 people (+81%) – a rise that can be attributed primarily to the trend in the area of “extramural” social assistance (private households) (+102 300 or +143%).

Viewed by federal province, the increase in the number of people claiming social assistance is concentrated above all in Vienna: here the number of people supported by extramural social assistance rose from by around 35 300 (1999) to 100 000 (2009, provisional figure). In the federal capital, supplementary financial assistance must now be given to a greater number of people whose income lies below the level of the social assistance standard rate. The increase in atypical and precarious employment situations (part-time, marginal employment, temporary work etc.), the associated low incomes and, in the event of unemployment, the resulting low (preferential) social benefits (unemployment benefit, unemployment assistance) are cited by the Vienna social welfare administration as reasons for the high increase with respect to social assistance standard-rate supplements.

Expenditure of the federal provinces on social assistance in 2009 was €2.99 billion (+87% compared with 1999). Against this, the figure for receipts was almost €1 billion, and essentially comprised cost contributions and reimbursements of the allowance recipients and their family members liable for support. This results in net expenditure of around €1.99 billion, to which the municipalities made financial contributions of differing amounts in the individual federal provinces.

Social assistance means are used in various areas. The majority of social assistance expenditures are traditionally spent on the (co-)financing of accommodation of persons in need in homes for the elderly and care homes. Expenditure in this area in 2009 amounted to €1.69 billion, equating to 57% of social assistance expenditure overall (gross). A total of €451 million (15%) was spent on mobile social welfare services, €407 million (14%) on standard-rate benefits, financial assistance and rent assistance, and €145 million (5%) on illness assistance. The remainder comprised expenditure on refugee assistance and other payments.

Please consult our German website for tables and charts containing further information.

Table(s)
General information service

Results (overview): beneficiaries of social assistance

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