Austria: Extension of higher emergency unemployment assistance

Submitted by mmarquez on Mon, 01/25/2021 - 22:16
Body

Government of Austria (20.01.2021) Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the governing parties extended the increased emergency assistance until March 2021, and to pay this out restrospectively (this ended in December 2020). Around 200,000 people per month benefit from the increased emergency aid.

measures summary

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the governing parties extended the increased emergency assistance until March 2021, and to pay this out restrospectively (this ended in December 2020). Around 200,000 people per month benefit from the increased emergency aid.

Measure date
Regions / Country
Global challenges
Document Type

Tags

Description/integral text (Internal-not for publishing)

January 20, 2021

Kocher: Increase in emergency assistance to the level of unemployment benefit will be extended, January 20, 2021

Unemployment assistance recipients will receive support equal to their unemployment benefit until the end of March

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the governing parties decided in March to increase emergency assistance to the level of unemployment benefit in order to provide financial support to the unemployed during this time of crisis.

"In view of the ongoing corona pandemic and the increased risk posed by the virus mutation, we want to continue to support the unemployed, who are already having a hard time in this time of crisis," said Labor Minister Martin Kocher.

The scheme expired at the end of the year. Through the extension, recipients of emergency assistance will receive support in the amount of unemployment benefit retrospectively until the end of March.

“Unemployment benefit is usually 92-95 percent of unemployment benefit. With the increase, we are helping to overcome the acute crisis and ensuring that the unemployed do not slip into emergency assistance at this point in time, ”emphasizes Kocher. Around 200,000 people per month benefit from the increased emergency aid.