Carinthia offers monthly aid as heating costs rise

The state of Carinthia is offering low-income households monthly housing and operating-cost support as heating prices rise, ORF reported.

According to Statistics Austria, heating oil prices have increased by 63.1 percent, gas by 11.8 percent and district heating by 5.1 percent. The heating season is only beginning, and temperatures have not yet fallen significantly.

The new support replaces the previous heating-cost subsidy, which was paid once a year. Tenants and homeowners on low incomes may qualify for housing benefit and help with operating costs. Eligibility and the amount depend on factors including income, household size and the number of children in the household.

Housing benefit is capped at 500 euros a month, while operating-cost support is capped at 192.30 euros. A family of four with two children, living in a 125-square-metre home and earning a net household income of 1,935 euros, would receive 126 euros a month toward operating and heating costs.

Applications for the new housing benefit can be submitted online to the state at any time. Support is granted for one year, or two years for pensioners.