For many, the prospect of a hefty heating bill is a good reason to save on gas. However, people on basic social security lack this incentive. The FDP is now making a proposal to change that.
The FDP proposes a bonus for Hartz IV recipients who save on heating costs. "For many people, the significantly increased prices are the most important incentive to save gas," said parliamentary group vice-chairman Lukas Köhler to the editorial network Germany (RND). "However, anyone who receives unemployment benefit II does not have this incentive, since the costs are usually completely covered by the job center," he added.
In order to change that, Köhler proposes that the ALG-II recipients be financially involved in the saved heating costs in the future. "Anyone who uses less gas than in previous years would then be paid a large part of the heating costs saved as a result." That could be 80 percent, for example. He emphasized: "Thus, economical heating would not only make itself felt in terms of gas consumption, but also directly on the account of the ALG II recipients."
In view of the high inflation, that would be a welcome cash injection without additional costs for taxpayers, the FDP politician emphasized in an interview with the RND. "On the contrary, because the state would ultimately benefit if part of the money saved stayed in its coffers."
The President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, warned in an interview with the "Rheinische Post" that heating costs for gas would triple. Passing on the higher prices for gas imports to customers with a levy, which is planned for October, "must necessarily go hand in hand with a third relief package for people with middle and low incomes," he added.
The social benefits would have to be increased immediately by 100 euros per person per month. Households with incomes of less than 40,000 euros should receive a similar sum by the end of 2023. In addition, the gas price for low and middle incomes must be capped for 80 percent of basic consumption.
