Hartz IV: "The government slaps millions of poverty-stricken people in Germany"

Created: 10/30/2022 04:57

By: Lisa Mayerhofer

In view of inflation, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Hartz IV recipients to cover their expenses - such as for food.

The Federal Ministry of Food is unimpressed.

Berlin - The high prices burden low-income households much more - and according to a study by the Hans Böckler Foundation, this has recently worsened.

The inflation burden for low-income families was 11.4 percent in September, as the Institute for Macroeconomics and Business Cycle Research (IMK) of the foundation announced on Tuesday.

For single people with a high income, the inflation rate was only 8.0 percent.

Inflation: low-income besidners affected

The IMK calculates the typical household inflation burden using "representative shopping baskets".

The current biggest price drivers, energy and food, make up a larger proportion of the purchases of low- to middle-income households than those of the affluent.

As a result, poorer households have been burdened significantly more for months.

"This is the highest value measured this year," said the IMK.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for people with low incomes in Germany to keep their heads above water.

A Hartz IV recipient described his situation in an open letter in October: "The money is no longer enough for food and given the electricity prices, like many others, I expect a power cut.

We don't give presents at Christmas and the menu is straightforward: 'spaghetti with ketchup'.”

Ministry of Nutrition: Healthy nutrition possible with Hartz IV standard rate

The Federal Ministry of Food (BMEL) probably sees things a little differently.

This emerges from an answer to a small question from the Left Party in the German Bundestag.

In it, the BMEL explained that "with informed, price-conscious purchasing, a healthy diet from the standard requirement" is possible.

It is the "individual decision" of people affected by poverty, "in what way, form and to what extent" they cover their nutritional needs.

The non-profit organization foodwatch is outraged: “The federal government is slapping millions of poverty-stricken people in Germany.

If you want to eat healthily, you have to read nutrition guides and tighten your belt elsewhere: This recommendation from the Ministry of Food is not only unrealistic, it also ignores the scientific findings on malnutrition and its catastrophic consequences, especially in children,” explained Luise Molling from foodwatch .

"Instead of enabling people to eat healthily in times of rising food prices, the federal government is continuing with citizen income where it left off with Hartz IV: with state-imposed food poverty."

And that, criticizes foodwatch, even though the scientific advisory committee of the ministry clearly stated in its report from 2020 that a healthy diet cannot be financed with the Hartz IV standard rate.

The nutritionist Hans-Konrad Biesalski, who was largely responsible for the report, was irritated: "The federal government is obviously not in a position to read and interpret the text of the scientific advisory board - because it is obviously not willing to work on it for a rich country like to change the shameful situation in Germany," said the professor.