For those who have not worked their whole lives and are now dependent on financial support in old age, the state offers basic security. But some fall just short of this grid – for these cases, the federal government has set up a hardship fund. Under certain conditions, pensioners can receive up to 5,000 euros from it. However, an application is required for this. The application must be submitted by September 30, 2023. Details are explained in this article.
Hardship Fund Foundation
In November 2022, the federal government made a decision: It created the legal basis for a federal foundation whose aim is to support hardship cases from the East-West pension transition as well as late resettlers and Jewish quota refugees. With this measure, the government wants to help people in particular who, despite a small pension, only just do not qualify for basic security. In view of the high costs, it is providing an amount of 500 million euros for this. This acts as a carrier Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; within a period of three years it should be ensured that this foundation fulfills its purpose. Until September 30, 2023, those affected can submit an application to the office of the “Härtefallfonds” foundation to alleviate their perceived hardship.
When does the pension start?
The determination of the retirement age depends largely on the insurance period and the year of birth. While some people can retire as early as age 63, others need at least 45 years of contributions to do so. Alternatively, it is possible to switch to part-time retirement at the age of 55 – for everyone else there is a longer working phase until retirement. However, people with certain illnesses or a severe disability also have the opportunity to leave earlier than their healthy colleagues.
Who can submit an application for hardship?
These groups of people receive money from the hardship fund
- Employees at Deutsche Reichsbahn, Deutsche Post or in health and social services,
- Caregivers of family members who have given up employment
- Employees in a mining activity in carbochemistry/lignite processing, official stay abroad with spouse for whom the previous employment was given up,
- divorced according to GDR law with at least one child after at least 10 years of marriage,
- Ballet dancers (as compensation for the “ballet pension” promised by the GDR),
- late repatriates,
- Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union or their relatives.
Doubling of the one-off payment through state participation
The foundation will receive a one-time financial injection of 500 million euros from the federal government, which will be used in particular for services such as the application process and consulting services as well as the operation of the office and committees. Additional financial support from the federal government is not planned. Until March 31, 2023, the federal states had the opportunity to join the foundation by contributing half of their financial share and thus enabling an increase of 2,500 euros. While in the new federal states all groups of people who are resident in the respective state are entitled to lump sum payments of up to 5,000 euros each, in the old federal states this only applies to Jewish quota refugees or late resettlers.
2023-09-07 05:13:36
#euros #bonus #payment #pensioners #apply #money
