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The cost of school supplies is becoming a challenge for many parents in times of inflation. A 150-euro bonus is designed to help.
The cost of children’s education is rising. Many parents don’t know what to do because of extremely expensive energy, high rent prices, and high credit installments. While the federal government has already launched a variety of subsidies and bonus payments, there is also a package of measures from the state of Upper Austria.
For example, the subsidies for heating and energy costs for low-income households have been raised by 200 euros each. “In addition, there is the annual increase in housing assistance, which is now accessible to a larger group of people due to higher income limits,” the state said in a statement.
Despite price increases, 30 million euros more have also been invested in social housing, and around 100 euros in mobility bonuses have been paid out to employees in mobile care, it added. The waiver of a fee increase brings households another 150 euros. Commuters have also been relieved by a one-off payment.
It has now been announced that the state plans to spend 5 million euros more on family support in the future.
Specifically, there are three points with which parents should be supported:
For students of compulsory school age who need external tutoring, a voucher for 150 euros per semester can be requested from the Family Department of the Province of Upper Austria. The voucher is redeemable for German, mathematics and English (or a second foreign language).
In the 2022/23 school year, the family allowance will be paid double the amount for school events. Eligible families will receive an additional 100 euros subsidy for ski equipment for courses lasting at least four days.
For each child of compulsory school age, a one-time 150 euro subsidy can be applied from the Family Department of the Province of Upper Austria in the 2022/23 school year. “The subsidy will be paid out depending on income. Maintenance payments, family allowance, childcare allowance, housing allowance, the child deduction and the Family Bonus Plus are not added to the household income,” the state said. Families with at least one school-age child up to the completion of 9th grade are eligible.
The state emphasizes the childcare bonus, and the multiple-child subsidy has also been increased. “Especially for families, life must remain affordable,” says LH Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP). Therefore one sets now these additional measures.
“Only through joint efforts can it be ensured that Upper Austrians are able to meet their financial obligations and provide adequately for their children,” LH Deputy Manfred Haimbuchner (FPÖ) also said.
The NEOS welcomed the package in a first reaction, stressing in a dispatch: “Educational opportunities for children in Upper Austria must not depend on the parents’ social background. We know that the best education is the springboard to a life full of opportunities and, above all, happiness.”
The SPÖ, on the other hand, criticized the five-million package: “I know these amounts from the 2022 budget amendment with which 8.4 million euros – one per mille of the total budget – were expressly dedicated to anti-inflationary measures,” said club leader Sabine Engleitner-Neu.
- source: heute.at/picture:
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