Citizens' money instead of Hartz IV: That's how much money there is now for trainees

Created: 2022-12-08 13:51

By: Lisa Mayerhofer

Young people from Hartz IV households have only received a fraction of their trainee salary.

That should now change with the introduction of citizen income.

An overview.

Munich – Apprentices from Hartz IV households have had a particularly difficult time financially so far.

Their wages were counted as earned income by the job center, which made it almost impossible for the young people to save money.

They sit in the poverty trap and are disadvantaged compared to trainees whose families do not receive Hartz IV.

Citizens' income instead of Hartz IV: Higher allowances for trainees

That should change now.

The Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) promised that those affected should be better supported with the introduction of the citizens' allowance.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) emphasizes that trainees in relation to Hartz IV should also benefit.

In the current Hartz IV system, a trainee who receives 800 euros only has 240 euros of the money he has earned.

According to Lindner, it would be more than 600 euros for citizen money.

Because: So far, there have been strict allowances on trainee wages in relation to Hartz IV: a basic flat rate of 100 euros and 20 percent of the gross salary up to 1000 euros.

With a gross salary of 1000 euros or more, there was ten percent.

From January onwards, with the introduction of citizen's income, the allowances will increase: The basic flat rate is now 520 euros.

With a gross salary of 520 to 1000 euros, 20 percent is due, from 1000 euros ten percent.

However, this only applies until the end of June.

From July there will be a gross salary of 520 to 1000 euros 30 percent.

This means that a trainee will have much more of his salary from January - the difference is several hundred euros.

Training should immediately pay off financially

However, the increased allowances only apply to trainees under the age of 25.

The aim of the reform is clear: for young people whose parents are receiving Hartz IV, training should be financially worthwhile immediately and not only pay off in a few years.

Incidentally, in this case the income from school and student jobs may also be retained up to the 520 euro limit.

Income from student jobs during the holidays is not taken into account at all.

With material from the dpa