The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has criticized the government’s decision to extend the family allowance and child care allowance for Ukrainian citizens. According to FPÖ National Council member Maximilian Linder, Austria is generous with tax money, but not when it comes to the Austrian population.
The extension of the social benefits was recently decided in the National Council and will be in effect until the end of October 2025. The Freedom Party voted against the decision.
Ukrainian refugees who came to Austria before the war had already had a claim to family benefits such as family allowance and child care allowance.
Initially, this right would have expired at the beginning of March, but the benefits were now extended until the 31st of October. This decision contradicts the EU’s Council, which extended the special residence status of Ukrainians until 2026.
The FPÖ is particularly critical of the fact that families from non-directly affected regions are still receiving these benefits. Linder demands that these families be motivated to return to their homeland, as the Ukrainian government is also working to encourage the return of war refugees and expects support from Brussels. Moreover, it is known that Ukrainian families regularly return to their homeland for longer periods of time.
In response to this criticism, Family Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) announced that a task force will be established to develop closer criteria to prevent abuse. The aim is to preserve Austria as a safe place for families, without the aid measures functioning as a “magnet”.
At the same time, an increase in the income threshold for the income-dependent child care allowance was also decided in the National Council, from 8,100 euros to 8,600 euros per year. The FPÖ voted in favor of this increase, as, in their opinion, work should not be punished.