As of: February 21, 2024, 1:52 p.m
By: Robert Wallenhauer
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Hartz IV has been history for a year and citizens' money has been a reality.
But what has changed for those who rely on government help?
Bremen – It was supposed to be a big success and replace Hartz IV.
“Citizens’ money is the biggest social reform in decades,” said Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) a year ago.
But what has changed citizen's money for those who are dependent on the Hartz IV successor?
“You get a little more money since it’s citizen’s money.
But the bottom line is that purchasing power has still fallen, I think, because of inflation,” says citizen benefit recipient Tim, on
Radio Bremen
’s radio show “buten un binnen” .
He has been receiving government assistance for health problems for seven years.
“It's said differently: Hartz IV isn't that great now, citizens' money sounds nicer.
It didn’t achieve anything more,” he sums up.
Citizens' money instead of Hartz IV: What has changed for those receiving state aid.
© Bihlmayerfotografie/Imago
Citizens' money rose by twelve percent in 20204
Most recently, citizens' money rose by twelve percent at the beginning of this year.
For single people the rate rose by 61 to 563 euros per month.
The increase had to do with the high inflation in the previous year.
These increases are now being criticized.
Just a few days ago, Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) said in an interview that the calculation method needed to be checked “so that inflation is not overestimated.”
“So I'm definitely not rich because I get citizen's money.
It is an increase that was necessary because the cost of living is high,” said citizen benefit recipient Gerome on the radio show.
“I still think that citizen’s money is nothing like Hartz IV, just under a new name.”
Because of citizens' money: is working still worth it?
Recently there have been repeated discussions about whether work is still worth it.
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann claims: The Hartz IV successor opens a “justice gap”: There are cases in which employees have less money at the end of the month than recipients of civil benefit.
CSU boss Markus Söder explained: “Anyone who works must clearly receive more than someone who doesn’t work.”
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Researchers partly agree with the opposition when it comes to the criticism that income from work is not always worthwhile for those receiving benefits.
The labor market expert at the German Economic Institute IW, Holger Schäfer, explains: “In large communities of need with earned income, there is often a right to additional benefits: citizen’s benefit, child allowance or housing benefit.” Overall, an employed person always has more money at his disposal than a citizen’s benefit -Receiver not working.
“But that doesn’t necessarily mean that working is worth it for everyone.”
This could also apply, for example, to Susi, a citizen's benefit recipient, because: “I work, but I'm a single parent.
My earnings are less than what I need.
That’s why I get a bit of citizen’s money,” she tells the
Radio Bremen
radio show .
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Citizens' money: Sanctions are getting tougher
Another aspect that changed with the introduction of citizens' money compared to Hartz IV is the sanction options.
They are comparatively moderate.
10 percent for missed appointments, up to 30 percent for applications or course participation that are not agreed upon.
This is a blessing and a curse at the same time, says Ali, a volunteer at a church counseling center, on the radio show “buten un binnen”: “It's a shame that the sanctions are weak, because that means a lot of people are taking advantage of it - well, what does a lot of people mean People: “It won’t be taken seriously anymore.”
Citizens' money is right, "but more attention should be paid to who follows the rules of the game."
In fact, the federal government sharpened the sanctions options at the beginning of this year.
In January, Labor Minister Heil introduced a legal regulation that would allow for a complete loss of benefits for up to two months if recipients “persistently refuse to accept reasonable work.”
Economists question how helpful this will be.
Enzo Weber from the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research (IAB) doubts that “black sheep” can always be clearly identified.
Opportunities and hopes often decrease with increasing age.
“Don’t total sanctions also drag people into precarious jobs where a lot of things just come together?”
(with material from dpa)