Hard Savings Signal: Mobility Allowance for Disabled Halved

The mobility allowance for people with disabilities is being halved. Instead of 697 euros last year, only 335 euros will be paid out in 2025, the Ministry of Social Affairs confirmed a corresponding report in the "Kurier" on Monday. Normally, the travel cost contribution should have been valorized and thus increased to around 720 euros. The step is justified by the current budget situation.

Mobility Allowance for People with Disabilities Halved

The mobility allowance is intended for employed people with disabilities for whom the use of public transport is unreasonable. The payment is compensation for the additional costs incurred by traveling with their own car. According to the "Kurier", it could be completely abolished in 2027. The purchase of a vehicle is also supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs. However, the climate bonus, which was recently 290 euros per year for people with disabilities, has already been eliminated this year. Contrary to original plans, the free annual public transport pass for visually impaired, blind, and deaf people in Vienna will remain.

Ministry Wants "Focus on Core Tasks"

From the office of Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ), it was stated to the APA that the reason for the cut is the "budgetary situation of the ATF (=Compensation Tax Fund), through which the mobility allowance is paid out". The fund is financed by compensation payments from companies that do not fulfill the employment obligation for people with disabilities. In recent years, additional federal funds have repeatedly flowed into the fund to address acute challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. As a result, expenditures were significantly increased "without ensuring sustainable financing".

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, this results in a funding gap of 100 million euros from 2026. To cover this, 65 million euros have been additionally released from the federal budget. An additional 35 million must be saved. After intensive examination, it was decided to "focus on core target groups and core tasks" for the coming years. Support directly at the workplace and job security measures should not be reduced. The ministry referred to ongoing expenditures to improve the professional participation of people with disabilities.

Representatives of people with disabilities reacted differently to the "Kurier". Rudolf Kravanja, president of the ÖZIV Federal Association, criticized the measure: "This makes people with disabilities supplicants again, who may have to go in search of donations. We all want a confident, independent life." Martin Ladstätter from the association "Bizeps" showed understanding for necessary savings and called for a focus "on what is really necessary" such as personal assistance at the workplace, wage subsidies, and training.

"Once again, it is not the broad shoulders that bear the burden," complained Ralph Schallmeiner, Green Party spokesperson for people with disabilities, in a statement. "Wanting to invest billions in the Lobau tunnel but halving the mobility allowance for people with disabilities without prior notice is the government's policy." The Greens want to discuss the issue in the Social Committee in October. "Those affected depend on this support," said Schallmeiner.

(APA/Red)

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