AJR welcomes new Holocaust survivor compensation deal: ‘Life-changing impact’

Germany has agreed to a £1,1 billion compensation package for Holocaust survivors, impacting more than 240,000 survivors globally. 

The package was negotiated between the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) and the German Federal Ministry of Finance on behalf of Holocaust survivors.

The agreement means that £702 million will be provided for home care services in 2024, in addition to £83 million in funding to address survivors’ increased needs.

The Claims Conference also secured a a one-time payment under the Hardship Fund for more than 128,000 Holocaust survivors will receive a one-time payment under the Hardship Fund.

The amount for each of the additional years was set at £1,068 per person for 2024, £1,110 for 2025, £1,153 for 2026 and £1,196 for 2027.

Lastly, funding for Holocaust education is now extended for two more years, increasing each year by £2,56 million, meaning £32,5 million for 2026 and £35 million for 2027.

Michael Newman, CEO Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) told Jewish News that it was “grateful” to the Claims Conference for “another round of successful negotiations.”

“The AJR receives and distributes Claims Conference funds, through Homecare, to hundreds of frail and ageing Holocaust refugees and survivors throughout the country. So, we see first- hand, the life-changing impact this assistance offers and are delighted that this additional support, together with expanded compensation payments, will now provide further critical help,” Newman said.

Greg Schneider, Executive Vice President of the Claims Conference said the negotiations had become more and more critical each year, as this last generation of Holocaust survivors age and their needs increase.

“Being able to ensure direct payments to survivors in addition to the expansions to the social welfare services we are able to fund is essential in making sure every Holocaust survivor is taken care of for as long as it is required, addressing each individual need,” Schneider said.

“The continuation of the additional one-time payment to Hardship Fund recipients carries tremendous historical relevance. Originally established to be a one-time payment, negotiations during the COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in three supplemental payments for eligible Holocaust survivors. This year, Germany again has agreed to continue this payment, which was set to end in December 2023, through 2027,” he added.