Climate Bonus, School Start Assistance & Co.: Ukrainian Refugees Should Repay Money

In Lower Austria, Ukrainian refugees have received letters demanding the repayment of overpaid benefits. The amounts sometimes total several thousand euros, reported Green Member of Parliament Dominic Hörlezeder on Thursday, referring to numerous affected basic care recipients in the Amstetten district. He called for clarification in a press release. Regional Councilor Martin Antauer (FPÖ) described the demands for repayment as "necessary and fair."

Ukrainians in Lower Austria Confronted with Repayment Demands

In letters from the district administration of Amstetten, additional incomes such as climate bonus, heating cost subsidy, school start assistance, and energy cost discount are cited for those affected. The total amount - often from several years - is to be withheld in installments from the ongoing basic care or repaid in another way. "Those who act in this way knowingly risk pushing families into despair and homelessness," criticized Hörlezeder. He demanded a suspension of the repayment demands as well as "comprehensive clarification on how the incorrect payments occurred and why there was apparently no proper review of the applications."

FPÖ Points to "Fairness Towards Taxpayers"

"Of course, financial incomes that exceed the legally established basic care must be repaid. It is unreasonable for the taxpayer to expect that benefits beyond the necessary level are paid to asylum seekers or other foreigners," stated Antauer. "The basic care is there to provide the essentials - and nothing beyond that," he emphasized. It is about "fairness towards the taxpayers." Regarding the repayment demands, the Freedom Party member explained that it is now being checked "which amounts were actually granted beyond the absolutely necessary level and how the repayment should be made." A legal review is underway to "ensure that the process is carried out correctly and uniformly."

(APA/Red)

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