Citizens’ allowance: Severe criticism of the zero-round – “slap in the face”

There will be no increase in the citizen's allowance in 2025. This was announced by Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD). The reason for this is the fall in inflation. But the decision has upset many people. Rather, the citizen's allowance rates should be raised to a level that allows people to live in dignity, they argue.

++ Important: Citizens' allowance bombshell: No increase in 2025! Recipients will be able to afford less ++

Heil announces zero increase in citizen’s income

Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil had announced that there would be no upward adjustment to the citizen's allowance next year. At the beginning of 2024, the citizen's allowance was increased by a total of 12 percent. Single people previously received 563 euros a month, 61 euros more than the year before.

The increase was met with a lot of criticism, especially from the Union. FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr even suggested lowering the standard rates. However, Heil did not make his decision under pressure from the FDP or CDU, explains Wiebke Esdar, co-spokesperson for the Parliamentary Left in the SPD, when asked by our editorial team.

++ Also exciting: Citizens’ allowance: drastic decision for 2025 – “Poverty will worsen!” ++

In the citizen's allowance concept, a “calculation mechanism is legally established,” said Esdar. As the SPD politician explains, this is based primarily on inflation and price increases for everyday products. “In view of the last increase, there will be no further increases based on this mechanism.” This is not a political decision, but a consistent application of the law.” Heil also justified the zero increase with the significantly lower inflation.

Healing decision a “slap in the face”

Katharina Stolla, federal spokeswoman for the Green Youth, is, however, very critical of the zero increase in the citizen's allowance. “The zero increase in the citizen's allowance is a slap in the face for more than 5 million citizen's allowance recipients,” she criticizes when asked. “It has long been known that the rates are not enough for a dignified life.” Even the increases in the rates in the last two years have not been able to compensate for the increased prices since the pandemic.”

Instead of continuing to fuel prejudices against recipients of citizen's allowance and taking a particularly hard line on people in poverty, Stolla says the traffic light coalition should raise the citizen's allowance rates to a level that allows people to live in dignity.

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From the point of view of the German Social Association (SoVD), the freeze on benefits fails to provide insight into the realities of life for those affected. “Poverty is part of everyday life for many people in Germany. “The fact that after years of crisis and prices for everyday items remaining at a high level, a freeze on benefits is now looming is due to the current calculation formula for standard needs,” complained SoVD board chairwoman Michaela Engelmeier, according to dpa.