Frankfurt/Main (dpa/lhe) - According to the Hesse Consumer Center, the need for advice due to higher energy prices has risen sharply. Demand had "virtually exploded," said board member Philipp Wendt of the German Press Agency. In the first half of 2022, the number of consultations increased more than tenfold compared to the previous year. The consumer advice center also advises on saving energy, but due to the lack of energy advisors, it cannot increase the number of 10,000 households reached each year. There are more information events for this, also online.
There is a free telephone hotline for inquiries about price increases for electricity or gas. In addition, additional employees have been trained in energy law. "If there are already energy debts or even an energy freeze is imminent, we help with a specific range of advice and support, including mediation with the energy supplier," said Wendt.
Many people are currently considering whether they should make use of their special right of termination in order to change providers - which makes sense and is possible in individual cases. "But we are also seeing a growing number of people who simply can no longer pay the higher deductions," said Wendt. The advisors help to check the legality of the increase and the amount of the deductions. In the worst case, those affected would have to contact the job center or the social welfare office. It is important to document the meter readings. Otherwise there is a risk that suppliers will estimate consumption and calculate the deductions too high.
The political measures taken so far have not been sufficient. Targeted help must be given to those who can no longer bear the high costs. A ban on energy blackouts is urgently needed and there must be ways for people to clear their energy debts. Here he also sees the energy suppliers as having a duty to waive part of their claims, said Wendt.
