2023 Austrian Holocaust Survivor Payment
Over the past year, the Claims Conference has been negotiating with the Austrian government for additional benefits for Holocaust survivors from Austria. As a result of these negotiations, it was agreed that the Austrian Government would make a payment of €5,087.10 to each former Austrian Jew who has been persecuted by the Nazi Regime or left Austria to avoid persecution.
The payment will be made by the Austrian National Fund (based in Vienna), not the Claims Conference. The determination of eligibility, processing the claim and answering questions about the claim, can only be done by the Austrian National Fund. Neither income nor assets are relevant for this payment.
There is no fee to apply to the program.
The Austrian National Fund can be contacted:
By email: office@nationalfonds.org
By phone: +43 1 408 12 63
By Mail: National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism Parliament Dr. Karl Renner Ring 3 1017 Vienna, Austria
The dual language application can be downloaded by selecting “Application Form” at the following link: nationalfonds.org/filing-an-application.
Ongoing financial hardship assistance from the Claims Conference for Austrian Holocaust survivors
In addition to the payment from the National Fund, Austrian survivors who are in financial hardship may be entitled to additional help. You may apply to the National Fund and request this assistance from the Claims Conference at the same time.
Austrian survivors who have difficult financial circumstances may in addition contact:
- The National Fund who will provide additional assistance for those in financial need; and
- Your local Social Welfare organization for additional financial assistance from the Austrian Holocaust Survivor Emergency Assistance Program. This program is available to former Austrian Jews only.
FAQs about 2023 Austrian Holocaust survivor payment
Q: Who is eligible for the new compensation payments in 2023?
A: Eligible persons include those persecuted, or who fled persecution by the Nazis for political, religious, ethnic, disability or other reasons, or who fled such persecution, and who meet one of the following:
- Austrian citizens domiciled in Austria as of March 13, 1938.
- Domiciled in Austria for approximately 10 years before March 13, 1938, or born there before 1938 to such persons.
- Lost Austrian citizenship or 10-year residency before March 1938 due to fleeing Nazi persecution.
- Born before May 9, 1945, in a concentration camp or similar circumstances to such persons.
Q: If eligible, what is the payment?
A: All living Austrian Jewish Holocaust survivors globally are eligible to receive a one-time payment of approximately €5,087. Those in special need will get an additional yearly payment of approximately €5,000, starting in 2023. To be clear, in 2023, all Austrian survivors will be entitled to a one-time payment of approximately €5,000. If you are recognized as “financially vulnerable” by the National Fund, you will be entitled to a total of €10,000 in 2023 and payments from 2024 and thereafter.
Q: Is the Claims Conference administering this program?
A: No, the Claims Conference negotiated with the Austrian government for these payments. The administration of the payments will be done by the Austrian National Fund, a body based in Vienna, Austria.
Q: Where do I get an application form?
The Austrian National Fund is sending blank forms to Austrian Holocaust survivors they believe may be eligible. The Claims Conference is also sending blank forms to the most recent addresses of Austrian survivors they think are alive and might be eligible. Receiving an application does not guarantee eligibility; the National Fund will make the final determination.
Q: What do I do if I want to apply and didn’t receive a form in the mail?
A: Survivors who believe that they are eligible and did not receive a short form can apply by selecting “Application Form” at the following link: nationalfonds.org/filing-an-application
Q: Where do I submit the completed application?
A: Send the completed application to:
By email: office@nationalfonds.org
By fax: +43 1 408 12 63 500 or
By post: National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism Parliament Dr. Karl Renner Ring 3 1017 Vienna, Austria
Q: How do survivors apply for the new compensation payments?
A: Eligible survivors can apply online at the National Fund of Austria website or complete the application form sent to them either by the Claims Conference or the Austrian National Fund. Survivors who believe that they are eligible and did not receive a short form can apply by selecting “Application Form” at the following link: nationalfonds.org/filing-an-application
Q: I previously received a payment from the National Fund. Do I need to reapply?
A: Yes. Prior National Fund recipients should receive a form either from the Claims Conference or the Austrian National Fund, or both, requesting current banking information and a signed certificate proving the life of the applicant. If a person received forms from the Claims Conference and from the National Fund only one form should be submitted.
Q: When will payments be issued?
A: The payment process will begin in October 2023. The National Fund stated the oldest survivors will be paid first.
Q: Who can I contact if I need help or more information about my application status or criteria?
A: You may contact the Austrian National Fund Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm and Friday 9 am to 2 pm Austrian time at +43 1 408 12 63
Q: Can heirs apply to this payment?
A: Only living Austrian survivors may apply and receive these payments.
Q: Is eligibility for this payment limited by income and assets criteria?
A: This payment has no income or assets criteria. All living Austrian Jewish Holocaust survivors globally are eligible to receive this payment regardless of their income or assets.
Q: I am in financial hardship. Can I apply for more funds?
A: Yes, survivors who apply for this payment will receive an additional letter from the Austrian National Fund inquiring about their financial circumstances. Those who reply to that letter and state that they are in financial need will be considered for an additional payment of approximately €5,000.
Q: I am an Austrian survivor in dire financial situation. Is there anyone that I can reach out to for financial help now?
A: Yes, you may reach out to one of our partner social welfare agencies that administer the Claims Conference’s Austrian Holocaust Survivor Emergency Assistance Program (AHSEAP). Under certain criteria, this ongoing program can assist Austrian survivors who are in financial hardship.
Q: What is the AHSEAP program?
A: The Austrian Holocaust Survivors Emergency Assistance Program (AHSEAP) provides financial help to Austrian survivors, and to widow and widowers of Austrian Survivors, for emergencies and unexpected hardships. The program is administered by our partner social welfare agencies. The program is subject to income limits and other criteria. Please reach out to your local AHSEAP partner agency for further details. You can find the list below.
Q: Who can I contact with additional questions about this program?
A: As the Austrian National Fund is implementing this program, please contact them directly:
By email: office@nationalfonds.org
By phone: +43 1 408 12 63
By fax: +43 1 408 12 63 500
By post: National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism Parliament Dr. Karl Renner Ring 3 1017 Vienna, Austria
Please see a list of our AHSEAP partner agencies and the relevant contact information:
| Agency | Country | Phone | |
| Tzedaka Foundation | Argentina | (54 11) 3987-8040 int. 309 | nataliar@tzedaka.org.ar |
| Jewish Care (Victoria) | Australia | 03 8517-5775 | alssupportadvisorteam@jewishcare.org.au |
| Service Social Juif | Belgium | 32 2/538.81.80 | jpayet@servicesocialjuif.be |
| UNIBES | Brazil | +55 11 3123 7356 | sobreviventes@unibes.org.br |
| Reshet | Chile | +56 9 9021 0285 | ssteuermann@gmail.com |
| CASIP – COJASOR | France | 07 56 42 15 89 | Axelle.malherbe@casip-cojasor.fr |
| Association of Jewish Refugees in Great Britain | United Kingdom | 020 8385 3070 | rosemary@ajr.org.uk |
| Selfhelp Community Services | United States (covering all of North America) | +1 (212) 971-7799 | survivorassistance@selfhelp.net |
| Fundación Tzedaká del Uruguay | Uruguay | +598-24025251 | info@tzedakauruguay.org |
| Association of Jews from Central Europe | Israel | +972 (3) 516-4461 Or Call the Claims Conference Tel Aviv Office at: +972 (3) 519-4400 | hila@irgun-jeckes.org Or write to the Claims conference at austrianfund@claimscon.org |
| Claims Conference | Rest of the World | +43-1-533-1622 | vienna.office@claimscon.org |
