Reader question: I've received my Austrian Klimabonus as a voucher, now what?
Austria's federal government is sending out €500 payments directly to the bank accounts of millions of people, but many have been getting vouchers. Here's what to do with them.
With rising inflation, mainly due to the increasing energy costs, people in Austria have seen their salaries purchasing less and less. Because of that, the federal government announced a €6 billion package with assistance, tax cuts and one-off payments.
The main (and somewhat controversial) payment is the so-called "climate bonus and anti-inflation payment", better known as Klimabonus in Austria. Residents of the country will receive €500 to help cushion the effects of climbing prices. Minors are entitled to half that amount.
The only criterium is that the recipient must have lived in Austria for at least 181 days in 2022 to be eligible for the payment. It doesn't matter your nationality or employment status - if you have spent six months legally in 2022 in the country, you will get the money.
READ ALSO: When will Austria make the €500 anti-inflation payment and how do I get it?
Money vs voucher
The main difference between recipients is that some will receive the money automatically in their bank accounts and others will get a mailed voucher.
If your bank data is up to date with Austria's financial institution FinanzAMT on their FinanzOnline portal, you should receive the payment straight to your account. If not, they will mail you the Klimabonus voucher via a secure letter - meaning you need to be at home to sign for it.
READ ALSO: How could Austria’s new electricity price brake benefit you?
There is also an option to have someone else sign the letter for you via a power of attorney form. You can read more about it here.
Once the voucher arrives and you sign for it, you need to redeem it. After that, it's possible to use them in hundreds of locations, including supermarkets, bookshops and bookshops to thousands of stores.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How Austria’s new finance measures could benefit you
You can check the nearest location that will accept your vouchers here.
Additionally, you can trade your vouchers (they come as ten €50 vouchers) for cash on the official Bank99, which is the bank owned by the Austrian Post and that can be found in hundreds of the Postal Service's branches.
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With rising inflation, mainly due to the increasing energy costs, people in Austria have seen their salaries purchasing less and less. Because of that, the federal government announced a €6 billion package with assistance, tax cuts and one-off payments.
The main (and somewhat controversial) payment is the so-called "climate bonus and anti-inflation payment", better known as Klimabonus in Austria. Residents of the country will receive €500 to help cushion the effects of climbing prices. Minors are entitled to half that amount.
The only criterium is that the recipient must have lived in Austria for at least 181 days in 2022 to be eligible for the payment. It doesn't matter your nationality or employment status - if you have spent six months legally in 2022 in the country, you will get the money.
READ ALSO: When will Austria make the €500 anti-inflation payment and how do I get it?
Money vs voucher
The main difference between recipients is that some will receive the money automatically in their bank accounts and others will get a mailed voucher.
If your bank data is up to date with Austria's financial institution FinanzAMT on their FinanzOnline portal, you should receive the payment straight to your account. If not, they will mail you the Klimabonus voucher via a secure letter - meaning you need to be at home to sign for it.
READ ALSO: How could Austria’s new electricity price brake benefit you?
There is also an option to have someone else sign the letter for you via a power of attorney form. You can read more about it here.
Once the voucher arrives and you sign for it, you need to redeem it. After that, it's possible to use them in hundreds of locations, including supermarkets, bookshops and bookshops to thousands of stores.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How Austria’s new finance measures could benefit you
You can check the nearest location that will accept your vouchers here.
Additionally, you can trade your vouchers (they come as ten €50 vouchers) for cash on the official Bank99, which is the bank owned by the Austrian Post and that can be found in hundreds of the Postal Service's branches.
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