Social Assistance: Schumann Strongly Warns Against "Sawing" at the Basic Network

Regarding the government's planned reform to a "New Social Assistance," the constitutional conditions are currently being clarified. A "key point" is the child basic security she desires.

The government plans to introduce a nationwide uniform social assistance. As soon as the constitutional report from the Constitutional Service in the Federal Chancellery is available, the next steps will be taken, Schumann said in the APA interview. There is good communication with the coalition partners.

Material benefits for children "key point"

"And then we will, of course, deal intensively with the issue of child basic security," said the head of the department. A "key point" in the question of how to give children opportunities is material benefits - "We do not want to cut benefits, but we see that material benefits are often the better option," she emphasized. But with material benefits, it is about "offering childcare places, offering afternoon care, and also having the possibility of holiday care. The more I offer, the better it is for children - because they have the chance to be integrated, because they have the chance to be involved. That must be the goal."

Schumann showed understanding when public debates arise about individual cases where a family (due to the high number of children) receives high financial benefits. "But social assistance is not just these individual cases, it is a whole system. And I would strongly warn against tampering with this basic safety net and letting people fall into the abyss."

Remove children from the debate on abuse

We need to move away from this image of a presumption of mistrust, Schumann said, also in view of accusations - for example, from Volkshilfe Upper Austria - which spoke of a "mistrust administration" in light of tightening measures. "That is why child basic security or child future security is so essential." From the question of whether someone receives a benefit unjustly, children must be "removed."

"This is very, very important so that children have future opportunities." Because the costs of those children who have fewer opportunities in the future - regarding their work paths and thus their social benefits - are "significantly higher than for children who have the chance to be well-educated and participate in society." It is about employability: "The ability to support oneself is a key factor."

Schumann: "Last safety net" for "everyone"

"I believe many people are not quite aware of how quickly one can slip into this last safety net," emphasized the minister, highlighting the relevance of social assistance for everyone. This "last net" is not reserved for specific groups, "but almost anyone can find themselves slipping into it and then probably be more relieved than happy and grateful that this net exists." However, one must of course look at how to get out of this net again.

In the debate about the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), Schumann once again referred to the planned evaluation of the health insurance reform, which under the turquoise-blue coalition led to the creation of the ÖGK - in the past, the minister had repeatedly referred to the promised patient billion as "marketing gimmick," a stance she continues to hold.

One must now look at "what has worked, what has not worked, where adjustments need to be made." A reform of the reform was initiated in mid-July by the Tyrolean governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP). She does not want to completely unravel the reform, but to "look at things more closely."

In general, the minister emphasized that social insurance is "in the best tradition" a "solidarity system" that "includes everyone and gives everyone the opportunity to receive the best possible care." And I believe it is important to strengthen social insurance, to bring it back onto a good financial track," she said.

Doctor Shortage: "Discuss Everything"

Regarding the warnings from the Medical Association about a future shortage of doctors due to upcoming retirement waves from last week, Schumann said that one must look at the shortages in all medical as well as non-medical professions in care and health services. These shortage situations need to be analyzed.

In the government program, a higher score in the entrance exam has been provided for those who have already worked in care or "for all those who are also willing to remain in the public system for a period." Regarding the Medical Association's call for better working conditions, Schumann said, "everything is up for discussion."

The minister is also particularly concerned about social care. In this context, she once again pointed to a project for the "prescription" of social services - the so-called Social Prescribing - which is now being expanded. In July, the Ministry of Health and Gesundheit Österreich (GÖG) already pointed to a new funding call amounting to 4.8 million euros (from March 2026 to February 2028) for the integration of social support services in primary and pediatric care.

(APA/Red)

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