200 euros energy flat rate: How do students get the one-off payment?

From March 15, the time has come: while millions of employed and pensioners have already received their energy allowance, it is now finally the turn of students and technical students.

200 euros energy flat rate: How do students get the one-off payment?

From March 15, the time has come: while millions of employed and pensioners have already received their energy allowance, it is now finally the turn of students and technical students. They will soon be able to apply for the long-awaited energy price flat rate of 200 euros. The tax-free subsidy is intended to provide support in view of the increased costs for heating, electricity and food. However, the money is only available if you first overcome a few hurdles.

Who gets the one-time payment?

A total of around 3.5 million people are entitled to the flat-rate energy price allowance. This includes trainees, students and pupils from technical and vocational schools. Residence and place of training must be in Germany. If you stay in another country for a short time, for example for a semester abroad or an internship, you are still entitled to the 200 euros.

The important thing is that the students must have been enrolled on the cut-off date of December 1, 2022. The same applies to (vocational) technical students who must have been registered at the respective training center by December 1 of the previous year.

Where can I apply for the energy flat rate?

In order to get to the 200 euros, a somewhat cumbersome application is necessary. In order to save time, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) advises those affected to take a few steps in advance. This should speed up the process of starting the application process.

For this purpose, the online platform single payment200.de was developed, on which the application can also be submitted from March 15th. In any case, a BundID account is required for the application. This must be set up either with an ID card with online function (eID) or an Elster certificate. In addition, an app is required with which the ID documents can be read, such as "AusweisApp2".

But that's not all: an access code is also required, which is provided by the university or training center. Only with this can students, trainees and technical students access the application form on the website. If the application is approved, a confirmation will be sent by email. The money will then be transferred to the specified account number.

Why do you have to apply at all?

Many young people are upset about the complicated application process. They have to wait significantly longer than other groups of people for the state aid lump sum. "In view of the approximately 3.5 million applicants at more than 4,000 training centers, this is a mass process that can only be managed appropriately by setting up completely digital decision-making processes," explains a BMBF spokeswoman.

According to the ministry, the application is "short and quick" to fill out. It is still unclear how quickly this will be checked after the process has been completed and when the money will actually end up in the account. A pilot phase with selected training centers from various federal states has been running since February 28th.