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About a year ago, at the beginning of the corona pandemic, we visited the Laue family in Berlin-Marzahn.
Now we are interested in how the single mother Jessica and her three children have fared since then.
“Hello, nice that we were there. Hello Mrs. Laue. "
"Please take off your shoes here in front."
"Yes. The beautiful BVB carpet here. "
"Yes."
Review: April 2020, homeschooling is the new everyday life.
The family lives on Hartz IV. Mother Jessica has been looking for a job for years.
She trained as a painter and varnisher and retrained to become an industrial clerk around five years ago.
For the family, Corona means above all more time at home - and greater financial worries.
Jessica Laue, single mother
»My shopping has become so expensive because I have to look after the children here during the week. Some of the children ate at school and I didn't have to pay extra for that. That has now been added. "
Today, a year later: The family has come to terms with everyday corona.
Alex and his two siblings can at least go to school for days, even if they still spend more time at home than they used to.
The biggest change: Jessica Laue has found a job, full-time as an accountant in a city theater.
Jessica Laue, single mother
»Well, I've only worked there for three months as a volunteer and have now had my fixed salary there since February and only top it up with Hartz IV. In other words: The income has stayed the same, nothing has changed, only that the majority now comes from paid work. "
Rachelle Pouplier, DER SPIEGEL
"That means the income is the same, but they work ..."
Jessica Laue, single mother
"full-time."
Rachelle Pouplier, DER SPIEGEL
"Full-time, okay, crazy."
Jessica Laue, single mother
»Well, I work full-time and now I still top it up with over 200 euros Hartz IV. To say that others get the same money for sitting their asses at home is sad, but I've always said that for someone who doesn't do anything, that is actually a lot of money. But for those who just do something, be it on a voluntary basis or with a salary, I just think that's not enough. "
The Laue family from Berlin-Marzahn is an example of how difficult it is for low-income families. In her new job, Jessica Laue earns the minimum wage of currently 9.50 euros per hour. With 40 hours of working time per week, this results in around 1650 euros gross - and in your case around 1300 euros net per month. If she deducts the rent of 700 euros, as well as the other monthly fixed costs such as electricity, telephone and insurance, there is practically nothing left of the wages. Therefore the increase by Hartz IV.
Hartz IV plus child benefit and advance maintenance allow the family of four plus cat Meowth to make ends meet.
But there is hardly enough for vacation, leisure time or a little cushion - of course the children will feel that too.
Today is Andy's birthday.
He is 16 and is currently looking for an apprenticeship position.
His gift: a card game.
Rachelle Pouplier, DER SPIEGEL
"How is it for you when you see that other children might have a birthday and somehow get the giant Playstation or something?"
Andy Laue, pupil
»Let me put it this way: everyone gets what they deserve. I think it's more important that grandma and all are there. I don't necessarily want presents. "
A year ago, the social children's charity "Arche" brought the birthday present.
Even today, the family is still dependent on their offers such as free lunch or the clothing store.
The new job hasn't changed anything about that either.
The birthday cake is in the works.
Jessica Laue made it after years: out of unemployment, despite the pandemic.
But the money worries remained.
Hartz IV stayed.
Nevertheless, the 37-year-old sees an increase in the minimum wage rather critically.
Jessica Laue, single mother
“I think we should see whether we really have to discuss the minimum wage now, because I don't know how many companies could even pay it.
And not that it then means: In order to pay you the minimum wage, I have to fire someone else.
Where I tell myself, that's difficult at the moment. "
Around every third single parent household has to receive basic security from the state, including many employed people like Jessica Laue.
She hopes for the next step: gaining work experience in order to find a better paying job.