How to apply for
The family allowance application can be sent electronically via FinanzOnline to the local tax office. This means that citizens do not have to go through official channels and can take care of their financial aid matters from the comfort of their own home with a click of the mouse.
You can obtain the relevant application forms from the Internet (BMF forms). In particular, you will find the forms Beih 100 for applying for family allowance and Beih 3 for applying for the additional allowance for severely disabled children, as well as Beih 20 (application for direct payment for adult children).
In principle, family allowance can only be applied for by the parents, even for children of full age, as they have priority. Children only have their own entitlement to family allowance if the parents no longer live in the same household and the parents can prove that they are not fulfilling their maintenance obligations. A household community is not deemed to have been dissolved if the children are necessarily in a different place for the purpose of vocational training. There is no entitlement to family allowance for children who are dependent on their spouse or former spouse.
Source: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/steuern_und_finanzen/sonstige_beihilfen_und_foerderungen/4/1/Seite.450233.html (German)
For Third Country Nationals
Citizens of third countries, i.e. not from the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, are entitled to family allowance if they are legally and permanently resident in Austria.
The lawfulness of the stay must be proven by means of a corresponding residence title in accordance with Section 8 Settlement and Residence Law 2005 (NAG 2005). A valid residence permit for the beneficiary and the child is a prerequisite for receiving family allowance.
Persons who have been granted asylum under the Asylum Act 2005 are entitled to family allowance for children who have been granted asylum under the Asylum Act 2005 from the month in which the asylum decision granting them asylum was granted.
Persons who have been granted subsidiary protection status under the Asylum Act 2005 are then entitled to family allowance for their children, who have also been granted this status, if they are employed or self-employed and they do not receive basic welfare benefits.
Source: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/agenda/familie/familienbeihilfe/familienbeihilfe-fuer-drittstaatsangehoerige.html (German)
After completion of school education
There is an entitlement to family allowance for adult children who have not yet reached the age of 24, and adult children who are severely disabled (§ 8 Para. 5) and who have not yet reached the age of 25 , for 4 months after completion of school education; subsequently for adult children who have not yet reached the age of 24, and adult children who are severely disabled (§ 8 Para. 5) and who have not yet reached the age of 25, until the start of further vocational training, if further vocational training is started at the earliest possible point in time after completing school education.
Source: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/agenda/familie/familienbeihilfe/basisinformation-zur-familienbeihilfe/familienbeihilfenbetraege.html (German)
Increased Family Allowance
For severely handicapped children, an increase supplement is granted in addition to the general family allowance. The increased family allowance in the calendar year 2023 is 164.9 euros (2022: 155.9 euros) per month.
A significant disability within the meaning of the Family Burden Equalization Act 1967 exists if a child suffers from a health impairment that is not just temporary (i.e. probably lasts more than 3 years) and the degree of disability is at least 50%. or the child is likely to be permanently unable to support themselves.
If there is a 50 percent disability, the increased family allowance is granted for as long as the general family allowance is due.
Therefore, if the child is already of legal age, the requirements for granting family allowance for adult children (e.g. the need for vocational training) must be met; in such a case, family allowance can be granted up to the age of 25.
There is no upper age limit for children who are permanently unable to work if the expected permanent disability occurred before the age of 21 or during vocational training before the age of 25.
The degree of disability or the probable permanent inability to work must be proven by a certificate from the Ministry of Social Affairs based on a medical expert report.
The resulting costs are borne by the equalization fund for family allowances.
From March 1, 2023, there will be a simplification of administration when applying for increased family allowance for severely disabled children up to the age of 18.
From this point in time, the data from the disability pass procedure is sufficient as proof of receipt of the increased family allowance and the applicants or the children save themselves the separate medical assessment that was previously necessary.
Source: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/agenda/familie/familienbeihilfe/erhoehte-familienbeihilfe.html (German)