Lack of money on maternity leave – due to inflation: mother complains about ‘baby poverty’

The fight against child poverty is often mentioned as a major political concern. The price increases add a new dimension: baby poverty. “Prams, cots, changing mats, baby equipment and clothing. How am I supposed to pay for all this?” A concerned reader turns to the “Krone”. And comes up with an argument.

Money is no longer enough for young families
“Everything will become more expensive, but the childcare allowance will not be increased. If you stay at home for two years and four months after the birth – as foreseen in the longest variant – you will only receive a little more than 400 euros per month. These are at most the purchases for two weeks,’ she complains, ‘but then there are the rent, heating costs, electricity, GIS, hygiene equipment, etc.’ Even if the partner goes to work, the money for young families is no longer there. enough.

Inflation adjustment is required
“The childcare allowance has not been increased since its introduction in 2002,” complains the Viennese FPÖ leader Dominik Nepp, “especially in times of madness, all family benefits must be adjusted to inflation. It is a pity that the government has apparently forgotten about the childcare allowance.” – The consumer price index has risen by no less than 50 percent since 2002.

Complaints increased by more than 40 percent
“In 2010, the means-tested childcare allowance was created as an option and since 2017 there is an account where a payment period for a particular day can be chosen,” the Chancellery objected that there were indeed changes that made improvements. The Ombudsman finds too little. In 2021, it handled more than 400 complaints about family-related benefits such as child support, childcare allowance and maternity allowance. That was an increase of more than 40 percent compared to 2020.

Ombudsman wants to enshrine fundamental social rights in constitution
“The Council of the Ombudsman has often shown that the purchasing power of family benefits has decreased enormously. Low-income families have to turn every cent three times over,” said ombudsman Bernhard Achitz. “An embedding of basic social rights in the Austrian constitution is urgently needed. Austria is the only country in the EU that does not have basic social rights in its constitution.”

Child support lost by 30 since 2000 percent of the value
Child benefit also lost 30 percent in value between 2000 and 2021. In addition to the one-off subsidy of 180 euros per child in August, the cabinet has now announced a valorisation. When will the childcare allowance be adjusted?