Housing benefit backlog in Freiberg: Citizens wait months for notification!

Housing benefit backlog in Freiberg: Citizens wait months for notification!

There is currently a big problem in Freiberg with the processing of housing benefit applications. Applicants currently have to expect waiting times of four to five months, which represents a significant burden for many of those affected. A reader reports that her mother submitted a follow-up application for a housing benefit extension five months ago, but has still not received a decision. Gerd-Dieter Garthe from the city administration confirms that these delays are not an isolated case and that many citizens suffer from the long waiting times. The residents' concerns are more than justified, as freipresse.de describes.

The current closure of the housing benefit office, which will not be open from August 12th to probably 21st, is particularly unfortunate. This means that residents of Freiberg, including the districts of Halsbach, Zug and Kleinwaltersdorf, have even fewer options to resolve their concerns at short notice. However, according to information from freiberg.de, the housing benefit authority will increase its staff by the end of 2023 in order to meet the increasing applications.

Background of the problems

There are many reasons for the currently long processing times. Last year, a comprehensive reform of the housing benefit system was passed, which came into force on January 1, 2023. The new Housing Benefit Plus Act, which was unanimously approved by the Federal Council on November 25, 2022, is intended to support around 1.4 million households in Germany, including many new recipients of housing benefit. Increasing the average housing benefit amount from around 180 euros to 370 euros per month is one of the central measures. This could result in the number of households eligible for housing benefit tripling, which is already a concern for the city council as it expects around 10,000 applications next year.

Around 880 households in Freiberg currently receive housing benefit, and the city expects this number to increase. The problems with processing could become even greater if you look at the forecasts for the coming months. According to the statistics provided by smart-rechner.de, the average housing benefit in Germany is 268.85 euros, although the amounts vary depending on the federal state.

Difficult circumstances for those affected

The large increase in the number of housing benefit recipients is not surprising when you look at the rising rents and the associated cost of living. The average rent for housing benefit recipients in Germany is now 553.64 euros. The distribution of applications also shows that over 40 percent of housing benefit applications are made by single people with a high proportion of single parents.

In a climate where many are already struggling with financial constraints, the delay in housing benefit processing is leading to increased financial insecurity for many families and individuals. Anyone who is not a recipient of unemployment benefit II or similar benefits is still entitled to housing benefit if a family member does not benefit from these benefits.

The Freiberg city administration is faced with the challenge of processing applications as quickly as possible in order to help citizens during this difficult time. A good knack for increasing staff could play a big role in improving the situation in the short term.