Energy prices explode: Traffic light plans relief for citizens - do pensioners get nothing?

Created: 03/24/2022, 09:32

By: Leonie Hudelmaier

Energy prices have risen.

This is reflected in the heating costs, among other things.

© IMAGO/Wolfgang Maria Weber

The effects of the Ukraine conflict on energy prices are massive.

The federal government is debating relief for citizens - do pensioners miss out?

tank discount?

mobility allowance?

The traffic light parties wanted to find a compromise in their dispute over rising energy prices on Wednesday.

But will the planned relief also reach all citizens – how about senior citizens?

The mobility allowance of the SPD is to be paid to the employees via the salary, the fuel discount propagated by the FDP leader Christian Lindner favors above all frequent drivers with heavy limousines or SUVs – so far nothing has been planned for pensioners.

Energy prices are rising massively: pensioner raises the alarm - "thank God a mini job"

And then the food prices rise dramatically.

"Everyone is somehow favored, but we fall through at the bottom," fears senior Ingrid Holnburger.

The 75-year-old from Bad Heilbrunn contacted us to describe her frustrating situation on behalf of many pensioners.

"The commuter allowance doesn't apply, I don't get housing benefit, nor do I get a basic pension.

But I can pay more for fuel, electricity, heating oil and groceries,” explains Holnburger.

Around half of her pension is now spent on her rent including heating, as the pensioner reports.

That's why she "found a mini job again, thank God."

Twice a week she does the admission control at the Tölzer Marienstift for a limited time.

Nevertheless, pensioners can soon look forward to a surprisingly substantial increase*.

Rising energy costs: Because of the Ukraine conflict, heating oil has become more expensive by 59 percent

The VdK Bayern confirmed to our newspapers: This is not an isolated case.

Retirees “are particularly suffering from the high prices.

Many of them have a small pension that just barely makes ends meet.

But the planned relief is aimed at people who are already receiving social benefits," says Ulrike Mascher, Chairwoman of the VdK Bayern.

This means that many seniors have to make serious cuts in the face of rising prices.

For example, the association hears from its members that they "only heat their living room by the hour and otherwise sit in the cold apartment," says Mascher.

Holnburger, who spent the whole winter in a thick jacket and woolen blanket at 14 degrees, knows that too.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine alone, heating oil has risen by 59 percent, according to comparison portal Verivox.

Heating is getting more and more expensive: Ingrid Holnburger in front of the Marienstift in Bad Tölz, where she supplements her pension with a mini-job.

© Arndt Pröhl)

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Christian Lindner wants to cancel special payments of 500 million euros for pension insurance.

Energy prices: consume more sparingly and consciously?

There are other options

But what can seniors do now against this price usury?

"For example, asking these people to save electricity, shop more consciously or leave the car behind is simply unrealistic," explains Mascher from the VdK.

Rather, those affected should check again whether they really cannot apply for basic security or housing benefit.

According to tenants' associations, many people who are actually entitled to housing benefit do not apply for this social benefit.

“That depends very much on income, the size of the apartment and the size of the household.

And there are more households than they think they could apply for housing benefit," said tenants' association spokeswoman Schmid-Balzert to

.

"Such services are a legal right and not handouts," emphasizes Mascher.

Housing benefit recipients also benefit from the one-off heating cost subsidy* that has already been decided – around 60,000 households in Bavaria receive it, according to estimates by the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Building and Transport.