Vorarlberg

All Covid-19 applications finally settled

The almost countless individual applications for loss of earnings in Vorarlberg became a "Herculean task" for the state. Now the matter has finally been resolved. 

Four years after the start of the corona pandemic, the state of Vorarlberg has processed all applications for compensation for loss of earnings. Governor Markus Wallner and State Health Councillor Martina Rüscher (both ÖVP) spoke in a press release of a "Herculean task" that the compensation team had accomplished: 93,399 files, some with numerous collective applications, were processed. 88,980 positive decisions were issued, with a total of over 155 million euros paid out.

At times, over 70 state employees were assigned to the specially established Departments XI at the four district authorities. An online application form and an automatic calculation model had accelerated the processes, otherwise "the flood of applications would not have been manageable", said Rüscher. However, even they could not have replaced a substantive examination.

For any similar events in the future, Rüscher no longer wants such individual case reviews under the Epidemics Act. In her opinion, compensation should be paid out on application and the cases should then be randomly checked. "We have also clearly communicated this to the federal government. We expect a corresponding adjustment in the new Epidemics Act for Austria, which is currently being drafted," explained Rüscher.