Increase in Care Allowance Recipients

This means the number of recipients remained above half a million affected individuals. The mark of 500,000 eligible individuals was first exceeded in May (with 500,554 affected). By mid-year (June), the number rose to 501,205 and then consistently remained above this mark.

Care allowance recipients predominantly female

Regarding the distribution of those in need of care by level, in September - rounded - 29.9 percent were in level 1, 20.9 percent in level 2, 19.1 percent in level 3, 14.8 percent in level 4, 11.4 percent in level 5, 4.3 percent in level 6, and 1.7 percent in level 7, which is for those with the highest care needs. The classification into the individual care levels is based on the need for hours.

Of the 503,725 care allowance recipients, the clear majority were once again female. In September, 307,913 women (61.1 percent) and 195,812 men (38.8 percent) were among those affected.

Demographic change and increasing life expectancy

Already in May - when the 500,000 mark was first exceeded - the Ministry of Social Affairs, led by Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ), stated that demographic change and increasing life expectancy would also be reflected in the rising number of eligible individuals and in the development of care allowance applications. She positively highlighted at the time that the annual valorization of the monetary benefit by the adjustment factor could be secured despite budgetary pressures.

(APA/Red)

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