There will be a change for Hartz IV recipients in 2022: the federal government aid package includes a bonus payment.
Frankfurt / Berlin – In view of the war in Ukraine, prices have risen dramatically in many places. To ease the burden on citizens, the traffic light coalition agreed on a billion euro aid package on Wednesday (March 27, 2022). In addition to the family allowance bonus and the € 9 ticket, Hartz 4 beneficiaries are also taken into consideration.
The coalition leaders of the SPD, FDP and the Greens have agreed on a one-time bonus for citizens who depend on social assistance. Parts of the aid package were approved by the Bundestag on Thursday (May 12), including the Hartz 4 grant. But who is entitled to the one-time payment and when will the money be paid?
Bonus Hartz 4 causes inflation and corona pandemic: what changes will come in 2022?
People who receive social benefits such as Hartz-4, basic security, or asylum money receive a benefit. In early 2022, the federal government had already announced a special payment due to the corona pandemic. Due to the increase in costs for electricity, fuel and food at the turn of the year, the bonus was therefore estimated at 100 euros.
The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine has caused prices to skyrocket again. The cost of oil, gas, coal and fuel has reached new highs since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That is why the traffic light government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has accepted an increase in the subsidy for social assistance recipients with the new aid package.
Bonus for Hartz 4 beneficiaries: how much do social benefit beneficiaries earn?
Overall it can Hartz 4 beneficiaries with a one-time bonus of 200 euros be happy. At the same time, an immediate increase of 20 euros per month per child for poor families was decided. It is aimed at children, adolescents and young adults who are entitled to basic security, payments under the Asylum Seeker Benefits Act or additional support for living expenses under the Federal Benefits Act. Families who receive the child supplement also receive the immediate supplement.
- Unemployment benefit (ALG): Insurance allowance paid by the employees themselves
- Unemployment Benefit II (ALG II) – or Hartz-4: State allowance for the needy looking for work
A one-time payment of 100 euros was also decided for people receiving unemployment benefits. According to the bill, all those who “are entitled to unemployment benefits for at least one day in July 2022” should be entitled to it.
Hartz IV bonus: when is the special payout expected in 2022?
But when will the bonus be paid to those entitled to Hartz 4 and other welfare recipients? A payment was originally planned for July, but at the beginning of July the money was not in all beneficiaries’ accounts. The money was paid on 23 July to employment centers independently organized by the local authorities.
In some cases, the payment may also end up on the account at a later time, for example for people whose ownership is not yet certain. In this context, the ministry has appointed several deadlines: 20 and 21 August and 24 and 25 September 2022.
From the point of view of social associations, the one-off payment is not sufficient to cushion the high costs of consumers. Instead, the Hartz 4 bonus would only provide short-term relief. Adolf Bauer, president of the German Social Association, told the German publishing network that standard rates for basic security should be raised “to a level that meets needs.” “Anyone who wants to overcome the social divide must start with the poorest, instead of subsidizing with the watering can regardless of income,” said Ulrich Schneider, director general of the joint association. (Karolin Schäfer / dpa)
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