Apply for social assistance
12 tasks in suggested order
1. Check entitlement under the rules of your federal state
Social assistance/minimum income support in Austria is governed by federal-state law. Eligibility, benefit levels, asset and income rules, and additional benefits can differ between federal states.
When necessary living expenses or housing needs cannot be covered from your own resources and benefits with priority over social assistance.
First check the current rules of the federal state; the official federal overview links to the rules of each state.
Details of residence, household, income, assets and, where applicable, residence status.
Do not assume a uniform nationwide benefit amount. The current rules of the federal state in which you live determine the specific entitlement.
Official source: oesterreich.gv.at
2. Gather details of income, assets and housing costs
Depending on the federal state, the eligibility assessment in particular requires information and evidence concerning income, assets, household and housing situation.
Assemble the documents as completely as possible before applying.
According to the requirements of the competent district administrative authority or federal state.
Identity/residence documents, income and asset records, housing costs and household details according to the relevant state checklist.
The required documents differ by federal state and personal circumstances. Use only the current state checklist that applies to your case.
Official source: oesterreich.gv.at
3. Apply to the competent district administrative authority
The application can in any event be submitted to the competent district administrative authority for your place of residence.
As soon as support is needed and the required information/evidence is available; observe the state-law rules on when benefits begin.
Municipal office or district administrative authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft); in statutory cities, the Magistrat; in Vienna, a Sozialzentrum or the social affairs unit of MA 40.
Application form and the documents required by the federal state.
The exact processing office and any additional benefits depend on the federal state of residence.
Official source: oesterreich.gv.at
4. Check the social assistance rules in Burgenland
The current state-law rules in Burgenland apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Burgenland or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.burgenland.at
5. Check the social assistance rules in Carinthia
The current state-law rules in Carinthia apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Carinthia or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.ktn.gv.at
6. Check the social assistance rules in Lower Austria
The current state-law rules in Lower Austria apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Lower Austria or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.noe.gv.at
7. Check the social assistance rules in Upper Austria
The current state-law rules in Upper Austria apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Upper Austria or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at
8. Check the social assistance rules in Salzburg
The current state-law rules in Salzburg apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Salzburg or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.salzburg.gv.at
9. Check the social assistance rules in Styria
The current state-law rules in Styria apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Styria or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.soziales.steiermark.at
10. Check the social assistance rules in Tyrol
The current state-law rules in Tyrol apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Tyrol or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.tirol.gv.at
11. Check the social assistance rules in Vorarlberg
The current state-law rules in Vorarlberg apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official state page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the State of Vorarlberg or the district/Magistrat office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: vorarlberg.at
12. Check the social assistance rules in Vienna
The current state-law rules in Vienna apply to the specific entitlement. Open the official city page and check the requirements, documents, competent body and possible additional benefits.
Before or together with submitting the application.
Official competent bodies of the City of Vienna or the office specified there.
The evidence currently required on the state page concerning the person, household, income, assets and housing situation.
State rules can change; do not transfer amounts or requirements from another federal state.
Official source: www.wien.gv.at
