Munich (dpa / lby) - To claim the Bavarian hardship fund for the energy crisis, companies must meet two conditions. First, the companies would have to "prove" that the share of energy costs had risen by more than two percent, said Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger (free voters) on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting in Munich. Furthermore, it must be proven when submitting the application that the cost increase eats up “the entire profit”.
The hardship fund of the Free State should have a total volume of 1.5 billion euros, although increases have not been ruled out here either. Among other things, this is intended to support small and medium-sized companies that are threatened with their existence, but also clubs, nursing or social institutions. However, citizens whose existence is at risk because of the energy crisis should also be supported. The aim is to supplement the federal aid programs and to close gaps.
Specifically, companies that receive little or no federal aid and are in a situation that threatens their existence due to the energy crisis should be able to take advantage of Bavarian aid. The same applies to social infrastructure facilities, such as clinics, daycare centers, care facilities, private schools, student unions or the area of culture and media. And citizens who are "exposed to particular stress" despite federal aid should also be able to apply for help.
However, it is still unclear when those affected can plan the help. Aiwanger emphasized that this should not wait until April, when the state parliament has finally voted on the 2023 budget. "Of course, with the approval of the state parliament, we will be able to start much earlier." However, he did not give a specific date.
Head of the State Chancellery Florian Herrmann (CSU) emphasized that there are still questions to be clarified and that the design is currently being carried out by the ministries involved in Bavaria. "It's about a lot of technical details," he said. Like Aiwanger, he also criticized the fact that the federal government had not yet decided which cases of hardship would be covered by the federal rescue packages. However, this is a mandatory requirement so that the Free State knows where to intervene. "We are always ready to raise and pay out the fund." But the federal government must first submit.
