The Austrian Fund for the restitution of losses of victims of the Nazi period will begin operations on Friday with acceptance of applications.
The fund will provide payments for losses of bank accounts, securities, cash and mortgages seized by the Nazis between March 13, 1938 and May 8, 1945 because of the race or religion of the owner, and for losses arising out of other Nazi persecutions. Claims also will be accepted for repayment of forced Jewish emigration taxes.
Forms for claims are available at all Austrian consulates and at offices of representative Jewish organizations. Applications will be accepted until August 31, 1962, but fund officials urged applicants in their own interest to file claims immediately.
About $6, 000, 000 will be distributed, but informed sources said that the largest single payment will not be more than $1,600, while the average payment per claimant will be around $800. Except for persons over 70 years of age, who can obtain advance payments of $400, no payments will be made until all expected applications have been filed with the Fund.
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