Basic services
For asylum seekers in Austria, there are services offered with which the basic requirements of daily life can be quickly covered. On request, accommodation possibilities will also be provided. In Vienna, the "Wiener Flüchtlingshilfe" respectively the "Beratungszentrum Grundversorgung" of the Vienna Social Fund/Fonds Soziales Wien (FSW) is responsible for the temporary basic services (Grundversorgung) of so-called "aliens in need of help and protection".
Am I entitled to basic services (Grundversorgung) in Vienna?
As a service centre of the Fonds Soziales Wien (FSW) the Asylzentrum receives applications for basic services (Grundversorgung). The counselling centre for basic services (Grundversorgung) of the FSW then checks whether you are entitled to basic services (Grundversorgung). As a fundamental rule, "aliens in need of help and protection" are entitlement to temporary basic services (Grundversorgung). These include in particular asylum seekers, people who have been granted asylum for the first four months after asylum has been granted, people who have been granted subsidiary protection, displaced persons and "other persons who cannot be deported for legal and de facto reasons". This is where you will find the service centre:
Asylzentrum
Inzersdorferstraße 127, 1100 Vienna
Tel: +43/1/427 88 0
Fax: +43/1/427 88 88
E-mail: asylzentrum@caritas-wien.at
Internet: www.caritas-wien.at/hilfe-angebote/asyl-integration/beratung-fuer-fluechtlinge/asylzentrum/
The payment of basic services (Grundversorgung) to recipients of basic services who live in private accommodation is also done on the basis of the decision by the "Beratungszentrum Grundversorgung" via the "Asylzentrum". Further advice and support is provided by other organisations and counselling centres. The "Asylzentrum" will tell you what organisation you should best contact. More info on the topic of advice can be found HERE.
What documents do I need in order to apply for basic services (Grundversorgung)?
You have to bring the following documents with you for the application:
- Registration forms (including old ones)
- Copy of the passport (if available), otherwise a copy of the photo ID / asylum card
- Rental contract / Subletting contract (with subletting: also primary rental contract)
- If applicable, extract from the land register
- Confirmation of all sources of income and duration of employment contracts
- Current extract from the insurance data with contribution base statements (ÖGK)
- Marriage certificate and/or divorce documents (divorce settlement, divorce ruling)
- Proof of maintenance entitlement / maintenance obligation
- Confirmation of income of spouse
If you do not submit all documents in full, this can result in delays or temporary non-processing of your documents.
What services are covered by the basic services (Grundversorgung)?
If you are entitled to basic services (Grundversorgung) in Vienna, you can use residential places in supported accommodation. If you have the opportunity to organise a private residential option, you can submit an application for rent assistance and meals allowance to the service office. If you live in organised accommodation, the basic services (Grundversorgung) incorporate accommodation, board as well as pocket money and leisure allowance. The basic services (Grundversorgung) also include health insurance as well as benefit in kind and monetary benefits for school supplies and clothing.
I live in supported accommodation – what benefits will I receive?
If you live in supported accommodation and receive basic services (Grundversorgung), you will receive:
- Board/food or meals allowance worth at least € 6.50 per day
- max. € 40.00 pocket money per month
- max. € 10.00 leisure allowance per month.
Irrespective of the form of residence you will receive:
- Clothing allowance: as required, max. € 150.00 per year
- School supplies for pupils: as required, max. € 200.00 per school year
- Health insurance (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse)
- Medical services
- Information, counselling and support
- Payment of travel costs for official summons and transfers
I live in private accommodation – what benefits will I receive?
If you live in private accommodation and receive basic services (Grundversorgung), you will then receive:
- Rent subsidy for individuals of a max. of € 165.00 per month
- Rent subsidy for families of a max. of € 330.00 per month
- Meals allowance for adults of a max. of € 215.00 per person and month
- Meals allowance for minors of a max. of € 100.00 per person and month
- Meals allowance for unaccompanied minors of a max. of € 215.00 (residing with relatives or with private individuals in Vienna)
Irrespective of the form of residence you will receive:
- Clothing allowance: as required, max. € 150.00 per year
- School supplies for pupils: as required, max. € 200.00 per school year
- Health insurance (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse)
- Medical services
- Information, counselling and support
- Payment of travel costs for official summons and transfers
Am I entitled to a certain form of accommodation?
There is no entitlement to a certain type of accommodation. The "Wiener Flüchtlingshilfe" offers various accommodation options for different target groups such as families and unaccompanied minors. Within the framework of the handling of the case by the advisory centre for basic services/FSW, the individual requirements of customers are reviewed and assigned to an appropriate organisation based on free capacities.
Can I change the accommodation within the framework of the basic services (Grundversorgung)?
Within the framework of allocation to accommodation facilities, fundamentally individual requirements of customers will be taken into consideration. A change in accommodation is only envisaged in certain cases (e.g. to bring families together or in the case of a medical need).
Can I choose any federal province to live in within the framework of basic services (Grundversorgung)?
It is not possible to choose any federal province to live in within the framework of basic services (Grundversorgung). If you independently move to another federal province, without signing off, this will result in a loss of the basic services (Grundversorgung).
How long will I receive basic services (Grundversorgung)?
For persons who have been granted asylum, the support with basic services ends after a transitional phase of four months. If the person's livelihood can no longer be financed after that from the person's own funds, an application for minimum benefits ("Bedarfsorientierte Mindestsicherung") can be filed.
For what reasons can I have my basic services (Grundversorgung) stopped?
Please note that you can lose your entitlement to basic services (Grundversorgung) for certain reasons:
Non-appearance for an appointment
If you do not appear for your appointment in the Servicestelle Grundversorgung or with the asylum authorities without important reasons, your basic services (Grundversorgung) will be stopped.
Leaving the supported basic services facility
If you stay away from your organised accommodation overnight, you must sign off with the organisation that provides the accommodation. If you leave your accommodation for longer than 72 hours or three days without important reasons, your basic services (Grundversorgung) will be stopped.
Move to another federal province
If you move to another federal province without signing off, this will result in a loss of the basic services (Grundversorgung).
Whom can I contact if I need advice?
The initial advice for aliens in need of help and protection will be provided by the Servicestelle der Grundversorgung. During your discussion, the service centre arranges contact to the advice centre that will accompany and advise you further if required.
All contact addresses and further information can be found HERE.