After that, recipients of housing benefit living alone will receive a one-off payment of 415 euros. A two-person household gets 540 euros, for each additional person there is an additional 100 euros. A flat rate of 345 euros is paid to students and trainees who receive student loans or other state support.

By focusing on low-income households, the subsidy is particularly targeted and supports “those who need it most,” explained Green MP Hanna Steinmüller be entitled to housing benefit in at least one month in 2022. Six months ago, the Bundestag had already granted a similar heating cost subsidy for recipients of housing benefit, students and trainees.

However, the social association VdK considers the group of recipients to be too small. Because of the rapidly rising prices, more and more people who have not received housing benefit so far are unable to pay their bills. “Anyone who cannot pay their heating costs should therefore apply for housing benefit in October,” said VdK President Verena Bentele of the German Press Agency.