As of: February 6, 2024, 11:35 a.m
By: Lisa Mayerhofer
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The state offers a lot of help to people with low incomes.
However, these do not always reach those affected.
An overview.
Munich – Not all social benefits actually reach those in need.
In particular, housing benefit, which is aimed at people with low incomes, has not been used to the extent it could be for years.
An overview.
Housing benefit: who is entitled, how it works
Housing benefit is essentially a state subsidy for rent for people with low incomes.
Even if you own a condominium or a house and have little money, you can get support to pay off your loans.
However, this only applies if you do not receive any other transfer benefits that already take housing costs into account, such as unemployment benefit II, social benefit or BaföG.
The states and municipalities are responsible for applications and payment.
According to the Ministry of Housing, the entitlement and amount of housing benefit depends on the number of household members to be taken into account, the amount of total income and the amount of eligible rent or burden.
Therefore, a general statement is not possible.
But with the Housing Benefit Plus, which came into force a year ago, the amount of housing benefit was significantly increased and the potential recipient group was tripled.
Pensioners, single parents and minimum wage earners are particularly targeted for help.
So it's worth taking a look at what's on offer if you're struggling with a low income.
The housing benefit calculator from the Ministry of Housing offers initial guidance.
The state offers a lot of help to people with low incomes.
(Symbolic image) © IMAGO/Michael Gstettenbauer
Basic pension: Too few people receive this help
Anyone who only receives a meager pension can hope for the basic pension supplement.
This is not a stand-alone benefit, but rather a plus to the existing pension, as the German pension insurance explains.
Pensioners who are entitled to the basic pension receive an individual supplement in addition to their statutory pension.
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The basic pension is intended to increase small pensions to a minimum amount.
It was launched on January 1, 2021.
The amount of the surcharge depends on the pension insurance history, employment history and income.
The average amount of the basic pension supplement is currently around 86 euros per month.
The German Pension Insurance is responsible for checking and paying out the basic pension.
Pensioners do not have to submit an application for a basic pension, because whether someone is entitled to a basic pension is automatically checked when the old-age pension is paid out for the first time.
If there is a claim, the corresponding amount will be paid out monthly with the actual statutory pension.
However, a current study by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) shows that fewer people receive the basic pension than announced.
“The basic pension helps, but it supports too few people.
It is not enough to adequately combat poverty in old age,” said Peter Haan from DIW to the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
.
According to the institute, only 4.3 percent of the approximately 21 million pensioners receive the supplement.
Citizens' money: Also possible for top-ups
Citizens' money has been replacing the Hartz IV system for a year now.
This social benefit is not just intended for people who have not had a job for a long time.
Even a very low income can be topped up with this.
You can receive citizen's benefit if you are able to work, are at least 15 years old, are not of retirement age and if your income is below the subsistence level.
The citizen's allowance is also paid out to household members who do not otherwise meet all the criteria, such as children.
You can apply for citizen's benefit at the job center - this is also possible online under certain circumstances.
Proof of income and rent must be provided.
If the application is approved, the job center will in many cases also cover the rent and heating costs.
The consumer advice center emphasizes that social benefits “should not be a shameful topic”.
“Submit an application if you meet the requirements.
The longer you put it off, the higher the debts can pile up,” warns the consumer advice center.