National Council wants to improve help for victims of coercive measures
Published: Tuesday, Jun 11th 2024, 08:50
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The National Council wants to improve assistance for victims of compulsory welfare measures and out-of-home placements. If these people receive solidarity contributions from the federal government as well as from the cantons or municipalities, the receipt of these funds should not lead to a reduction in any bridging or supplementary benefits in future.
On Tuesday, the National Council approved a corresponding amendment to the Federal Act on the Reappraisal of Forced Measures and Placements (AFZFG). In future, it will stipulate that the same applies to cantonal or communal solidarity contributions as to federal contributions: They have the character of compensation.
The Federal Council writes that these funds are thus primarily available to meet special personal needs. The solidarity contribution is therefore not subject to income tax, cannot be seized and may not be taken into account when calculating social welfare, supplementary and bridging benefits for older unemployed people.
The draft law is based on a parliamentary initiative by the National Council's Legal Affairs Committee and still has to go through the Council of States. The Federal Council requested approval.
In March 2023, the City Council of Zurich decided to pay a solidarity contribution to the victims of compulsory welfare measures and out-of-home placements. The city council based its application on 320 eligible persons.
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