Rights and benefits during the asylum procedure in Austria

Minimum rights and benefits during the asylum procedure (Grundversorgung)

The „Grundversorgung“ system aims at providing all asylum seekers and other aliens excluded from the regular social system with accommodation, food, medical care.
Grundversorgung is provided in two ways:
 a) by sheltered accommodation
 b) by maintenance grants for those accommodated individually

. In the case of sheltered accommodation the programme comprises
accommodation, health insurance, food and “pocket money” of 40 Euro/month; 

b) In the case of individual accommodation the programme comprises
 health insurance, 180 Euro maintenance grant, 110 Euro accommodation grant in case that regular rent payments can be proved
.

For whom? 


Under the new system people who fulfill the following requirements are eligible for support:

- Asylum seekers (asylum procedure still going on)

- Asylum seekers who have received temporay protection status (§8/§15)

- Rejected asylum seekers and other aliens if deportation cannot or must not be carried out (“Abschiebeaufschub”)



Restrictions


Severe criminal conviction may lead to restrictions. In no case medical care may be restricted. 
Own income: if an individual has a regular legal income it has to be estimated if he or she is deemed to be “in need” and thus eligible for the programme


How to apply 


Service points are being established on municipal level, district level (“Bezirkshauptmannschaft”) and state level (“Bundesländer”). 
Individuals who request Grundversorgung have to arrange an appointment and to provide their documents. 
Unaccompanied minors should get special care, but since facilities are crowded they are sometimes being sent to accommodations for grown-ups, if over 16.

Notes

•  Despite many rumours there is no relation between the region of Austria you are being sent to and your chances to get asylum! This only depends on the authorities processing your case.
•  If you choose to stay in a different place than you've been sent to, you will get no financial support, no insurance and no shelter (“Grundversorgung”)!