# AMS to Repay 135 Million Euro to Jobless Claims

October 30, 2026 at 01:51 PM

> Austria's AMS will issue back payments to 100,000 people after a court ruled its 18-year-old unemployment benefit calculation was illegal.

The **AMS** must repay 135 million Euro in incorrectly calculated unemployment benefits to 100,000 recipients following a ruling by the **Administrative Court of Justice**. The error stems from a calculation practice used for 18 years regarding social grading rules.

Affected individuals will receive back payments of 20 to 30 Euro for each month of unemployment, legally limited to the past three years. Recipients do not need to file an application. AMS head **Johannes Kopf** will fund this from the agency's variable budget.

Social Minister **Korinna Schumann**'s office confirmed no special budget will be provided. The court ruled the 2008 regulation lacked explicit legal standing. Meanwhile, the **National Council** has decided to phase out these contribution exemptions over six years.


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