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Overcoming financial hardship - Find your individual solution

finanzielle-notlage-min

OVERCOMING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP

If you find yourself in a financial emergency, you don't just need money, you need help. We'll give you an overview of the next steps you can take in an emergency.

First of all, you should make sure that your situation doesn't get any worse:

  • Take advantage of debt counseling: The sooner you go to debt counseling, the better. They often have long waiting times, so you should do this first. A professional can help you avert personal insolvency - or support you as much as possible.

  • Contact Caritas: In cases of hardship, Caritas can help you with food and catering vouchers or a donation. They can also help you apply for funding if you are overwhelmed by all the information.

  • Search for subsidies: Depending on the federal state, there are different emergency aid and subsidies in Austria, for example for rent, school costs, heating and much more. At www.oesterreich.gv.at you will find an overview and forms for emergency financial aid depending on the situation and federal state.

  • Shop temporarily in social markets: There are social markets where you can get food or clothes cheaply or even for free. The prerequisite for this is that your monthly income does not exceed EUR 1,238, or EUR 1,856 for couples. An additional EUR 371 can be added for each child. The net household income for a family with two children may therefore not exceed EUR 2,598 for a visit to a social market.

  • Defer payments: Regular payments such as rent, insurance, loan or leasing installments can often be deferred. Contact your provider, together you will certainly find a solution to alleviate your situation a little.

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT GRANTS OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

Official advice centers can help you find solutions to your problems. You will receive lots of helpful tips and information and can request various bridging assistance depending on the federal state.

WHERE CAN I GET SOCIAL COUNSELING OR DEBT COUNSELING? CAN I GET ONE-OFF FINANCIAL SUPPORT THERE?

There are many different places where you can get help. Many of them also offer one-off financial support.

  • MA 40 can help you in the event of impending loss of housing, unexpected costs in connection with your energy costs or financial expenses for renting an apartment.

  • The Chamber of Labor can provide you with information on energy cost subsidies and other emergency financial assistance for you or your family.

  • You can also apply for financial support from Licht ins Dunkel.

  • If you find yourself in a financial emergency due to illness, the emergency aid project "No to poor and sick" or the Austrian Health Insurance Fund can help you.

  • Caritas also offers both social assistance and debt counseling.

  • At schuldenberatung.at you can make an appointment for individual debt counseling, but you can also download an information sheet with lots of tips that can help you get your situation under control.

WILL I GET HELP IMMEDIATELY IF I CONTACT A SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION?

Organizations like Caritas usually help quickly and sustainably. You will not only receive financial assistance, but also lots of tips on how to get your finances under better control and how to avert further emergencies.

In many federal states, you can also get food from Caritas, find accommodation or use study rooms, for example, if you need them.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO GET SUPPORT?

If you would like to receive support from official bodies, you must generally have Austrian citizenship or have been legally resident in Austria for more than 3 months. The center of your life and therefore your main residence must also be in Austria.

You can get financial help if you are in a financial emergency for personal, family or economic reasons that you can no longer cope with yourself.

You will need the following documents for various applications:

  • Official photo ID

  • Personal documents (citizenship card, divorce decrees or settlements, residence permit or notice of recognition)

  • Proof of income, if available

  • Documents relating to the apartment (rental costs)

  • Proof of benefits such as from the AMS, the ÖGK, maintenance, pension, etc.

  • Proof of assets such as savings, property, bank statements, etc.

  • A justification of the request and an explanation of how the emergency situation arose.

  • An account card for the transfer of funds

  • Proof of payment arrears from energy providers and cost estimates for services that are required.

ADVICE CENTERS AND BRIDGING ASSISTANCE FOR FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES ABROAD

Have you got into financial difficulties due to losing money abroad?

In this case, you can make use of a bank or postal transfer. The Foreign Ministry can set up a deposit account for you for this purpose and also grant you a remittance loan if you are in an emergency through no fault of your own. Money will be transferred to your Austrian bank account if your friends, family or employer cannot help you out with a payment.

Important: This loan may not be used for private fundraising - for example for extending your vacation, various purchases or an onward journey. You can only use it for the cheapest trip home to Austria. The prerequisite is that you are registered in Austria's central register of residents.

OTHER BRIDGING OPTIONS

Have you already visited all the counseling centers and still urgently need money? Could a small loan avert your personal insolvency? In this case, you have three more options under certain conditions. All you need is collateral or a car that you own. You put your item or vehicle up as collateral and borrow money against it.

1. PAWN LOAN

With a pawn loan, you can use collateral you own to borrow money. On cashy.at you will immediately receive an offer and the fees. You can receive cash immediately after handing it over in the store, shipping it or collecting it, or have your money transferred to your PayPal or bank account. After 30 days, you can extend, reduce or repay your credit again and again in your account.

2. CAR LOAN

With a car loan, you use your car as collateral to borrow money. Enter your vehicle details and the desired term in the calculator and the highest possible loan amount for your car will be displayed immediately. After the check, you will receive your money in cash or as a bank transfer, and at the end of the term you can also extend, reduce or repay. If you extend or reduce your loan, your car will be checked again.

3. SELL COLLATERAL TO DEALERS IMMEDIATELY

If you don't want to wait long for a buyer, you can also sell collateral directly to the dealer. You will immediately see the possible selling price on cashy.at and can sell your item directly. You can pay out in cash or by bank transfer. You can visit a store, send your item or use the convenient collection service.