Holocaust survivors will continue to receive additional one-time payments from German government until 2027
The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) has announced approximately US$1.4 billion in direct compensation and social welfare services for survivors globally.
This marks a significant milestone in their negotiations with the German Federal Ministry of Finance on behalf of Holocaust survivors worldwide.
Among the outcomes of the negotiations includes an additional US$105.2 million in funding for home care programs to address the growing needs of survivors.
A particularly notable development is the continuation of a one-time payment per year to recipients of the Hardship Fund until 2027. Originally intended as a single payment, this extension carries historical significance. It emerged as a result of negotiations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to three supplemental payments for eligible Holocaust survivors. Now, Germany has agreed to extend this payment through 2027, acknowledging the ongoing financial and emotional suffering experienced by survivors, especially those who fled the Einsatzgruppen, Nazi mobile killing units responsible for the murder of over 1 million Jews.
These payments primarily benefit survivors from the former Soviet Union who were not in camps or ghettos and are not eligible for pension programs. Many of them are among the most economically disadvantaged within the survivor community, having suffered immeasurable losses in terms of time, family, property, and life. The expansion of payments to these survivors recognises the lasting impact of their suffering and provides much-needed financial relief in their advanced years.
Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, Special Negotiator for the Claims Conference Negotiations Delegation, expressed his inspiration and emphasised the ongoing responsibility of the German government and its people to provide care and compensation to Holocaust survivors. With nearly 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, these negotiations serve as a near-last opportunity to ensure survivors receive justice and reclaim the dignity that was taken from them during their youth.
The Claims Conference, through its network of over 300 social welfare agency partners across 83 countries, delivers crucial home care services to Holocaust survivors. These services encompass in-home assistance, meeting individual needs such as food packages, medical support, transportation to appointments, and socialisation. Given the increasing costs of these services as survivors grow older, this funding is crucial in supporting the last generation of Holocaust survivors.
In addition to addressing immediate needs, the negotiations also prioritise Holocaust education. As the last generation of survivors diminishes, it becomes essential to preserve their testimonies and lessons for future generations. Recent global Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Surveys indicate a decline in knowledge about the Holocaust, highlighting the importance of comprehensive education to prevent such atrocities from recurring. Therefore, the ongoing discussions between the Claims Conference and the German government aim to secure funding for cutting-edge and innovative Holocaust education programs, ensuring that future generations have access to these vital resources.
Key outcomes of the negotiations include a substantial allocation of $888.9 million for home care services in 2024, including an additional US$105.2 million to meet the growing needs of survivors. Moreover, over 128,000 Holocaust survivors will receive a one-time payment under the Hardship Fund from 2024 to 2027, with increasing amounts each year. Finally, funding for Holocaust education has been extended for two more years, with incremental increases, reaching €41 million in 2027. The projected total compensation for survivors in 2024, encompassing one-time payments and monthly pensions, is estimated to be US$535 million.
Sydney member of the Conference, Robert Goot, told J-Wire: “We are meeting in New York next week, but I can confirm the funds in Australia will be handled by JewishCare in Sydney and Jewish Care in Melbourne. Applications for funds should be directed to them likewise applicants in other states. They should make contact with the relevant Jewish Care organisation.”
