Lower Austria Care and Support Check sees high demand in 2026

The state of Lower Austria has seen high demand for its 2026 Care and Support Check (NÖ Pflege- und Betreuungsscheck) during the first half of the year. A total of 24,555 applications were submitted since the beginning of January 2026.

The program provides 1,000 euros annually to individuals requiring care and support, aiming to help them live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. The funds are not tied to a specific purpose, allowing recipients to choose how to use them, such as for mobile nursing services, household help, barrier-free home modifications, therapies, or 24-hour care.

Eligibility includes individuals at care level three or higher, persons at care levels one or two with medically confirmed dementia, and children or adolescents at care level one or higher. Evaluations show that older recipients often use the funds for mobile services, while younger recipients use more than 50 percent for therapies.