Thuringia: FDP: housing benefit problems show digitization backlog

Erfurt (dpa/th) - From the point of view of the FDP in the state parliament, the feared long processing times for housing benefit applications reveal the failures of the state government in online access to authorities.

Thuringia: FDP: housing benefit problems show digitization backlog

Erfurt (dpa/th) - From the point of view of the FDP in the state parliament, the feared long processing times for housing benefit applications reveal the failures of the state government in online access to authorities. It is still not possible to apply for housing benefit online in Thuringia, said the spokesman for the FDP state parliament group, Thomas Kemmerich, on Saturday. People rightly expect easy access to authorities and their affairs to be dealt with in a timely manner, he said in a statement. "They don't expect miracles, they expect something to be taken for granted." The state government is called upon to create a citizen-friendly solution.

Thuringia's ombudsman, Kurt Herzberg, recently stated that he expects a significant backlog in the processing of applications for housing benefit in the coming year because the municipalities are unable to cope with the expected flood of applications. It is therefore already foreseeable that many of those affected will have to wait several months for the actual payment of the state rent subsidy.

According to Herzberg, with the housing benefit reform on January 1, 2023, almost 50,000 Thuringian households will be entitled to this benefit for the first time. With the reform in view of rising energy costs, the circle of those entitled to housing benefit has been expanded.

In Thuringia, applications must be submitted to the responsible housing benefit authorities. These are based in Thuringia at the district offices, the independent municipalities and the cities of Gotha, Ilmenau, Rudolstadt and Saalfeld.