Hardfall fund: Why tens of thousands of GDR pensioners go away empty-handed!

Hardfall fund: Why tens of thousands of GDR pensioners go away empty-handed!

Bochum, Deutschland - The debate about the hardship fund for GDR pensioners has again started speed. Susanne Schaper, the parliamentary group leader of the left in the Saxon state parliament, has sharp criticism of the strict conditions for this fund. In their opinion, the hurdles are too high to help many needy pensioners who have made valuable contributions during their work in the GDR. Only persons who relate a pension to basic security level, which many of the actual beneficiaries exclude. This applies in particular to those who have lost pension entitlements after reunification and often only have to make do with a minimal income.

The fund was launched in 2023 and should serve as support for the people who have worked in the GDR. So far, however, tens of thousands have been empty. In the reports it becomes clear that only a handful of former miners, 48 earlier postal workers, 97 members of the Reichsbahn, two ballet dancers and 91 from health and social affairs benefited from the help. While around 1,500 people received support in Saxony-Anhalt, the number of successful applications nationwide remained far behind the expectations with around 57,000. About 170,000 people had applied for compensation throughout Germany.

demands for increased support

A future -oriented approach could be a top -up of the one -time compensation payments to 5,000 euros for certain professional groups, as some federal states have already implemented. However, the Saxon state government has so far decided against such a step and could therefore disappoint many potential claimants. The one -time payment of 2,500 euros, which is available from the hardship fund, does not seem sufficient for many affected people. In particular, since the introduction of this regulation, concerns have become loud that the federal government is not doing enough to do justice to the increased cost of living.

The foundation at the federal government, which is responsible for implementing the hardship fund, has also set clear deadlines: Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2023. The contact with those responsible is extremely uncomplicated; Inquiries can be submitted to the foundation by phone or email. In this way, all those affected should have the opportunity to assert their legal claims.

A look into the future

The topic is explosive and affects not only the pensioners themselves, but also the political landscape in the region. Especially before the upcoming choice, it is of great interest to many voters how the parties are on these questions. The problem of pensions from the GDR and dealing with the hardship cases is still an urgent topic that urgently needs solutions. The hope remains that those affected will quickly receive the support they earn.