Rostock/Schwerin (dpa/mv) - From the point of view of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), the municipal administration must proactively draw people's attention to new housing benefit options. "We need more staff in the housing benefit offices and an information campaign, because many people don't even know that they are entitled to housing benefit," said Fabian Scheller, DGB regional director Rostock-Schwerin, on Friday.
At the beginning of next year, the number of people who can apply for housing benefit is to be increased significantly. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) had even forecast a tripling for the north-east.
The DGB now expects that the cities and municipalities will approach potential benefit recipients aggressively and offer information material in several languages. In addition, Scheller sees the need to shorten the previous processing time of up to 10 months: "People need the money now. We call on the municipalities to immediately provide additional staff in the housing benefit offices so that the applications can be processed quickly". .
