- Many people who receive benefits pay for rent and heating
Many recipients of Sachsen-Anhalt's citizens' allowance, as well as nationwide, are having to pay more for rent and heating because their accommodation is deemed not adequate. According to the federal government's response to a query by the Left party in parliament, around 11.5% of households receiving citizens' allowance and recognized housing costs in the region between Arendsee and Zeitz had to pay extra last year. On average, they had to shell out around €78 a month from their own funds or savings. Over 10,300 households were affected.
Nationwide, nearly 320,000 citizens' allowance households did not receive full coverage of their housing costs and had to pay an average of €103 out of pocket each month.
The amount households had to pay varied depending on their location within Sachsen-Anhalt. Those in the Saalekreis had to pay the most, at €112, followed by Halle and the Landkreis Mansfeld-Südharz at an average of €100. In the Landkreis Anhalt-Bitterfeld, it was around €63, and in the Landkreis Stendal and the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, it was roughly €67 and €66 respectively.
Guidelines for rent and living space
In principle, housing costs, including rent and heating, are covered by the state for citizens' allowance recipients, but only if they are considered reasonable. To qualify, rent and living space must not exceed certain regionally set guidelines. Those living in accommodation that is too large are encouraged to move or, for example, rent out a room.
Social organizations have long criticized that the set rent limits are often unrealistic. Affected individuals often have no chance of finding a cheaper alternative, forcing them to pay increasingly higher amounts, which then leaves them with less money for food, clothing, and education.
The Federal Parliament approved guidelines for rent and living space, which stipulate that housing costs, including heating, should be covered by the state for recipients of citizens' allowance, but only if they are considered reasonable. The Federal Parliament is currently debating proposals to review and potentially increase these guidelines to make them more realistic and affordable for citizens' allowance recipients.
