House of Representatives – Berlin – Opposition criticizes hardship fund: Kipping defends – politics
Berlin (dpa/bb) – Too complicated, too late, too little money for a very broad target group: In the Berlin house there is a lot of criticism of the hardship fund, which is intended to prevent electricity and gas blockages in the capital. Berlin’s Social Senator Katja Kipping (left) defends the Senate’s offer of help against criticism.
The decision not to limit the hardship fund to low-income Berliners was correct. “Especially in these times, people with middle incomes can get into serious trouble,” said Kipping on Thursday at the first plenary session of the new year in the Berlin state parliament. This applies, for example, to professionals whose wages have been eaten up by inflation.
The fact that the money is not paid to the applicant but directly to the energy company has the advantage that power and gas cutoffs can be fired more quickly. The application process, which started on Monday, is uncomplicated, assured Kipping. For example, there is no asset test. There is no time for such bureaucracy in the event of impending power cuts. “Energy lockdowns are a social hardship and it is important to avoid them,” said Kipping.
The Berlin CDU criticized that the red-green-red Senate had taken too much time with the start of the fund. “If a full eight months are needed in the state of Berlin to create concrete solutions for an acute situation, then we are very far from an accelerated aid,” said CDU MP Björn Wohlert.
As early as late summer and early autumn, citizens in Berlin received the first notifications of increases in heating and electricity costs. Meanwhile, the Senate had clarified who was entitled to apply, said Wohlert.
Tobias Bauschke from the FDP added that the hardship fund was the right thing to do to avoid energy cuts. However, it is questionable whether 20 million euros would be enough. Lars Düsterhöft from the SPD assured that with a view to the supplementary budget of around 3 billion euros, the fund was small at 20 million, but it would be increased if necessary.
AfD MP Jeanette Auricht accused Red-Green-Red of a “propaganda show” on the hardship fund. The Senate poses as the savior of the poor with these “handouts,” she said. Auricht also criticized the fact that the applications are made online and that applicants should take advantage of energy advice. “Now people should also listen to energy saving,” she said. “I don’t see anyone who heats with the window open at these prices.”
Other opposition parties have also criticized the digital application process. Kipping defended the decision to do so. The required documents would not have to be uploaded as PDF files, but could be photographed with a mobile phone. Submitting applications online can also lower the inhibition threshold to seek help if this makes going to the social welfare office unnecessary. In addition, there are appropriate counseling services for people who need help with the applications. “Berlin is when you are not left alone with energy debts,” said the senator.
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