Kostelka: Social assistance - suddenly a lucrative "business" with family members?
After a unanimous decision of the Styrian Parliament in autumn 2008, it was announced that dependent relatives do not have to pay back the social assistance. But the reality in Styria looks quite different and relatives jump out of the frying pan into fire. The change of the law would be positive, but the outcome seems to be negative. Ombudsman Kostelka showed the example of a 50-year-old woman who had to stay on a persistent vegetative state station in the Albert Schweizer clinic in Graz.
Initially, the husband and the parents were assured not to worry about the coverage of medical expenses in the monthly rate of € 8.500, - per month.
A few months later, however, the social office of the City of Graz informed the family that a decision on the social aid application cannot be taken as long as the relatives are not opening their accounts and report on their income. Pointing out the obligation to pay maintenance, calculations would be made that should reduce the costs of social assistance.
In fact, the maintenance law does not mention a certain percentage limitation in such cases, therefore it would be possible that her husband and parents could be covered until the subsistence level is reached (about € 685,- per month)
Furthermore, they fear that the hospital refuses further care of the patient if the Social Services Graz does not cover the remaining costs. General instructions of the government prevent this.
The Director of the Social Services Office in Graz, Gernot Wippel, is responsible for the needs of families concerned and confirms the criticism of the AOB. All first instance social welfare authorities had been abandoned and had a lot to explain, as it shows more and more that legally compliant welfare enforcement under these conditions is impossible and that family members will have to pay at least twice the cost than before the change in the law.
Ombudsman Dr. Peter Kostelka invited all families concerned and in similar dilemmas to immediately turn to the Austrian Ombudsman Board. He said that it is unacceptable to deal with open questions of law at other people’s expenses. Relatives have been promised support but now have to cope with further financial burdens.