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"Irresponsible, cheek": the federal government clears the way for Hartz IV increase and receives heavy criticism

2021-09-15T13:38:36.521Z


The federal government has adjusted the rates for Hartz IV. But the increase is well below inflation. This means that Hartz IV recipients will have to tighten their belts even more in the future.


The federal government has adjusted the rates for Hartz IV.

But the increase is well below inflation.

This means that Hartz IV recipients will have to tighten their belts even more in the future.

Berlin - Hartz IV recipients will get three euros more per month from next year.

The standard rate for single adults increases in January by 3 to 449 euros per month.

Overall, recipients of unemployment benefit II, social assistance and basic security in old age and in the case of reduced earning capacity receive 0.76 percent more money.

The cabinet initiated a corresponding ordinance from the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs on Wednesday (15.09.).

The currently significantly rising consumer prices - the price increase was 3.9 percent in August - have not been included in the calculation of the rates.

They would only be taken into account for 2023, said a ministry spokeswoman.

Criticism came from trade unions, social organizations and the opposition.


Hartz IV: These rates apply from 2022

The rate for partners and spouses increases by 3 to 404 euros. For children between 14 and 17 years there will be 376 euros, also 3 euros more than before. The rate for 6- to 13-year-olds and 0 to 5-year-olds is to increase by two euros each (311 and 285 euros). For 18- to 24-year-olds in the parental home and adults in institutions, the rate increases according to the plans from 357 to 360 euros. The additional costs are estimated at 190 million euros in the coming year.


With the annual adjustments, the government wants to secure a decent subsistence level.

The spokeswoman for the social affairs department emphasized that the methodology prescribed by law did not offer any leeway to decide on the level of the standard rate.

She admitted that the higher prices of the second half of 2021 would not be taken into account for statistical reasons and that these would be included in the adjustment in 2023.


Hartz IV: Resolved adaptation is "irresponsible, cold and bitter"

DGB board member Anja Piel told the newspapers of the Funke media group: "The planned increase of only three euros is well below the price development." The president of the social association VdK, Verena Bentele, told the newspaper that the federal government is de facto cutting the benefits of basic income support recipients.

For months, above-average increases in energy prices have been fueling inflation. In addition, the withdrawal of the temporary VAT reduction has an effect. In August the inflation rate in Germany was 3.9 percent. Economists expect inflation rates to continue to rise in the coming months, but consider the rise in consumer prices to be a temporary phenomenon. Higher inflation weakens the purchasing power of consumers: they can buy less for one euro than before.


The Green parliamentary group leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt called the decision to adapt the Hartz IV sentence “irresponsible, cold and bitter”. Left boss Janine Wissler said it was “a cheek” to speak of an increase in rates. The Hartz IV rates were already heavily criticized in the past by the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband. It was only in July that the head of the association, Ulrich Schneider,

warned

Merkur.de

that Hartz IV recipients would have to tighten their belts in the coming year.

(dpa / AFP)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-09-15

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