Disaster relief

Income too high: Storm victims go away empty-handed

The storms in Arriach caused extensive damage.(Bild: GERD EGGENBERGER)

After severe storms with enormous damage, some Carinthians did not receive any financial aid due to the income cap. The regulation was changed - for future emergency situations. However, the FPÖ is calling for retroactive payment. 

The property of a farmer from Arriach was affected by severe storms in 2022. The damage is still visible today. "We have restored paths and the forests themselves. But the roofs are still damaged," says the farmer in despair.

Application rejected
Like many others affected, his family applied for support. "With the help of the municipality of Arriach, I applied for disaster aid from the emergency relief organization, but I was refused because of my family income," he says, disappointed.

In 2022, you were only entitled to disaster aid if you did not exceed the annual net income limit of 67,000 euros. The farmer tried his luck again this year. In January, the provincial councillor responsible, Daniel Fellner, demanded that income should no longer be taken into account when it comes to disaster aid. But even then, the Arriach man came away empty-handed. "Family income still applied until 31.12.2023. No retroactive payments are made," says the Fellner office.

The storms in Arriach caused extensive damage.(Bild: GERD EGGENBERGER)

The FPÖ with Erwin Angerer wants those affected from previous years to also be entitled to retroactive payments. "Several people from the area have contacted us and have not received any compensation. We already demanded at the time that storm victims should receive support regardless of their income. Those affected in 2022 and 2023 must also be supported at all costs!" says the club chairman.