Inflation eats bonus: Hartz IV surcharge was already used up in July

Created: 08/09/2022 05:38

By: Patricia Huber

Hartz IV recipients received a bonus in July.

But if you look at the loss of purchasing power caused by inflation, this has already fizzled out.

Munich – In September, numerous Germans can look forward to 300 euros more in gross wages.

This is due to the energy price flat rate, which will be paid out in the coming month.

This was decided by the federal government as part of the relief package to give people financial support in times of ever-increasing inflation.

Hartz IV: Over 200 euros loss of purchasing power since January

But not everyone gets this flat rate.

Anyone who receives Hartz IV, for example, has already received their extra cash injection.

Because for every subscriber there was already a bonus of 200 euros in July.

With a Hartz IV standard rate of 449 euros per month, this bonus should probably provide relief for longer – the federal government probably thought so.

But reality looks different.

Purchasing power falls as a result of rising inflation.

So that means the rule set is worth less.

The inflation data from the Federal Statistical Office can be used to calculate how high the purchasing power loss of a single Hartz IV recipient is per month.

The following list shows the loss of purchasing power in each month based on the inflation rate.

• January: 22 euros (4.9 percent)

• February: 22.89 euros (5.1 percent)

• March: 32.78 euros (7.3 percent)

• April: 33.23 euros (7.4 percent)

• May: 35.47 euros (7.9 percent)

• June: 34.12 euros (7.6 percent)

• July: 33.68 euros (7.5 percent)

Thus, the total loss of purchasing power of a Hartz IV recipient in the first seven months of the year amounts to around 214 euros.

However, it should be noted that the job center covers the heating costs for recipients.

In the energy sector in particular, prices have risen enormously, which is why the real loss of purchasing power is likely to be somewhat smaller.

Hartz IV: Demands for a higher standard rate are getting louder

However, one thing is clear: the 200 euro immediate surcharge has already been used up.

However, inflation persists and could even increase further.

As a result, calls for a higher standard rate are becoming louder.

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Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) had already announced that he would also like to raise the standard rates with the introduction of citizen income.

But that would not be implemented until January 2023 at the earliest.

Ulrich Schneider, Managing Director of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, therefore demands: “In view of the situation, which is aggravated by inflation, immediate financial help is needed.

It's about the constitutionally guaranteed subsistence level."