Millions of households will be financially relieved in the coming days and weeks. Retirees, families and singles benefit to varying degrees. FOCUS online says when how much money is flowing.

In December, pensioners already received an energy price flat rate of 300 euros. In addition, millions of gas households receive emergency aid for their gas consumption. Depending on the provider and the contract, the sum is either reimbursed in December or offset against the annual consumption. Tenants only benefit from the gas reimbursement with the next year-end bill.

Millions of people can expect further measures in the coming year. FOCUS online shows when you can hope with which support or change.

child support

Child benefit will increase on January 1, 2023. At the same time, the previous child benefit scale will no longer apply. In future, parents will receive 250 euros for each child. So far, there is 219 euros for the first and second child, 225 euros for the third child and 250 euros for each additional child. A family with three children has received 694 euros so far. From January 1, 2023 it will be 750 euros.

gas price brake

A gas price cap for private households will apply from January 1st. A maximum of 12 cents per kilowatt hour is charged for 80 percent of the previous year’s consumption (reference month September). The supplier should be able to bill the current gas price for the last 20 percent. Tenants who do not have a direct contractual relationship with a utility company will not be reimbursed until the next annual heating bill.

Electricity price brake

The electricity price brake will also be introduced on March 1st. It applies retrospectively to January 1st and provides for a heating discount. A kilowatt hour of electricity for 80 percent of annual consumption (reference month September) must not cost more than 40 cents. The supplier may calculate the current electricity price for the remaining consumption. FOCUS online warns: Many energy suppliers will double the price of electricity from January 2023. In some cases, a kilowatt hour of electricity will cost almost 60 cents.

gas price brake

Gas households benefited as well. A gas discount will be granted from March 1st – also retroactive to January 1st, 2023. Households will then have to pay 12 cents per kilowatt hour of gas for 80 percent of the previous year’s consumption (reference month September 2022). The contractually agreed energy price then applies to the remaining consumption. There is a catch here too: many public utilities have announced hefty price increases for January 2023. Households are also advised to continue saving energy.

District heating price brake

Similar to the electricity and gas price brake, households that heat with district heating also have to pay 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour for 80 percent of their previous year’s consumption from March 1st and retrospectively to January 1st, 2023. The contractually agreed tariff does not apply to the remaining consumption.

Germany ticket

The nationwide “ Deutschland Ticket ” is to be introduced by April 1, 2023 at the latest. It should cost 49 euros. This should enable German citizens to use local public transport. However, like the 9-euro ticket, the ticket is not valid on the ICE, EC, IC and all long-distance passenger services.

allowances

From January 2023, the basic tax-free allowance will be increased: it will increase from currently EUR 10,347 to EUR 10,908 in the coming year. From January 2024 it will even be raised to 11,604 euros.

The tax-free allowance for capital gains for single people will be raised from EUR 801 to EUR 1,000. Double the amount applies to married couples.

Students who receive BAföG may earn more from January. Previously, the upper limit for part-time jobs was 290 euros, without this having any effect on the amount of BAFöG received. From January, the limit will rise to 330 euros.

housing benefit

Households with a low income will receive an average housing benefit of around 370 euros from the beginning of 2023. Anyone who lives alone and receives housing benefit should receive a one-off payment of 135 euros, a two-person household 175 euros. For each additional person in the household there is an additional 35 euros. A flat rate of 115 euros per person is provided for students and trainees. As a result of a reform, two million households are to benefit from this support from January 2023. The housing allowance increases on average from 177 euros to 190 euros.

citizen money

Unemployment benefit II (or “Hartz 4”) is called citizen benefit from January 2023. The change is that, among other things, the standard rate will be increased by around 50 euros to 502 euros per month. There is an allowance of 40,000 euros for recipients. The allowances for additional earnings will increase from 20 to 30 percent.

Also read: Large table – relief package? This is what the new gas price brake really does for you

Appropriate: Are you there too? – Millions of households will not benefit from the gas price brake until the end of 2023