Number of Care Allowance Recipients on the Rise
The number of care allowance recipients has risen again at mid-year and thus remains above half a million people. The mark of 500,000 eligible claimants was first exceeded in May (with 500,554 affected). In June, the number rose to 501,205 and in July to 502,304, as data from the Ministry of Social Affairs shows. Compared to July of the previous year (491,612), this means an increase of 2.17 percent or 10,692 people.
Compared to the previous month of June, there were 1,099 more eligible claimants in July (+0.22 percent).
Regarding the distribution of those in need of care by level, in April 29.2 percent were at level 1, 20.5 percent at level 2, 18.8 percent at level 3, 14.5 percent at level 4, 11.2 percent at level 5, 4.2 percent at level 6, and 1.7 percent at level 7, which is those with the highest care needs. The classification into the individual care levels is based on the need for hours.
Care Allowance Recipients Mostly Female
Of the 502,304 care allowance recipients, the clear majority were once again female. 307,303 women (61.2 percent) and 195,001 men (38.8 percent) were among those affected in May.
Already in May - when the 500,000 mark was first exceeded, the Ministry of Social Affairs, led by Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ), stated that demographic change and increasing life expectancy would also be reflected in the rising number of eligible individuals and in the development of care allowance applications. She positively highlighted that the annual valorization of the monetary benefit by the adjustment factor could be secured despite budgetary pressures.
Number of Care Allowance Recipients (since its introduction in 1993)*:
1/1993 - 230,344
1/1994 - 233,952
1/1995 - 242,097
1/1996 - 246,013
1/1997 - 258,391
1/1998 - 257,261
1/1999 - 261,221
1/2000 - 266,052
1/2001 - 271,457
1/2002 - 276,411
1/2003 - 282,220
1/2004 - 283,293
1/2005 - 296,210
1/2006 - 311,357
1/2007 - 322,907
1/2008 - 330,184
1/2009 - 345,543
1/2010 - 355,338
1/2011 - 359,521
1/2012 - 431,914
1/2013 - 432,248
1/2014 - 451,461**
1/2015 - 457,821
1/2016 - 452,828
1/2017 - 456,103
1/2018 - 458,636
1/2019 - 454,952
1/2020 - 469,328
1/2021 - 461,668
1/2022 - 466,792
1/2023 - 469,998
1/2024 - 475,474
1/2025 - 495,451
07/2024 - 491,612
05/2025 - 500,554
06/2025 - 501,205
07/2025 - 502,304
* 1) until 1/2011 only federal care allowance recipients (in addition, up to
70,000 state care allowance recipients per year, unified from 2012)
**2) since 2014, all those in need of care who are in hospitals and whose care allowance is therefore suspended are also counted. Furthermore, the survey was changed from a reference date to a monthly survey
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs
Care Allowance and Hourly Requirement:
Euro: Care requirement (minimum):
Level 1: 200.80 65 hours
Level 2: 370.30 95 hours
Level 3: 577.00 120 hours
Level 4: 865.10 160 hours
Level 5: 1,175.20 180 hours *
Level 6: 1,641.10 180 hours *
Level 7: 2,156.60 180 hours *
*) the following special conditions are additionally required:
Level 5: An extraordinary care effort.
Level 6: Unscheduled care measures or the constant presence of a caregiver are needed day and night.
Level 7: Targeted movements of the arms and legs are not possible or a condition of equal concern.
(APA/Red)
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