Abstract:

This article proposes to analyze and present the new regulations enacted in the axis of the Federal Care Benefit Payments Law, which has been in the Austrian care insurance structure since 1993 and is financed by general taxes. People in need of care can claim long-term allowances under the Federal Care Benefit Act if they have a permanent residence permit in Austria. The seventier system of the need for care allowance payments is based on the consumption of time needed for care services for people in need of care. Care Allowance is a fixed monthly amount paid to people in need of care, regardless of their income and wealth. Since 2007, people in need of care can apply for cash support to cover their expenses arising from "24 Hour Home Care" services, including professional care services in the home environment. As the latest practice, “Workplace Care Leave” gives the right to family members of caregivers to take a break from their paid employment relationship for a certain period or to reduce their working hours. In this context, "Care Leave Allowance" has been given to carers working since 2014. This article further explains the “Backup Care at Home” application, which provides limited financial support to informal caregivers for a temporary period. According to the conclusions of this article, the current care assurance system concentrates essentially on people with care needs residing in their homes.

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