Increase in Hartz IV rates: three euros more per month

The cabinet has decided to adjust the Hartz IV rates from January 2022. For most recipients of the basic security, this means a monthly plus of three euros. Sharp criticism comes from the opposition, trade unions and associations.

The Hartz IV rates will increase by a few euros at the turn of the year. The federal cabinet approved an increase in the standard rate for single adults by three euros to 449 euros. The standard rate for young people aged 14 and over also rises by three euros to 376 euros.

Spouses and partners will receive 404 euros in future, adults under 25 years of age without a household of their own will receive 360 ​​euros. Here, too, the plus is three euros per month. In addition, the standard rate for children up to five years of age is 285 euros per month instead of the previous 283 euros in the new year. For six to 13 year olds, the rate also increases by two euros to 311 euros.

“Little more than a handout”

The cabinet submission comes from the SPD-led Federal Ministry of Social Affairs. The Left Party and the Greens criticized the increases as too low. “The increase in the standard rates by a measly three euros a month is little more than a handout,” said Left Party parliamentary group deputy Susanne Ferschl. “The increased consumer prices let the money fizzle out faster than it is in the account.” Ferschl called for the Hartz IV standard rate to be increased to 658 euros as an “immediate measure”.

Green parliamentary group leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt criticized the extent of the increase as “irresponsible”. The social politician of the Greens, Sven Lehmann, called for the “first step” to raise the rates by at least 50 euros.

Criticism from trade unions and associations

The German Trade Union Federation (DGB) and the social association VdK also criticized the new Hartz IV standard rates. “The planned increase of only three euros is well below the price development,” said DGB board member Anja Piel to the newspapers of the Funke media group. The calculation took into account the price level in the second half of 2020, which was exceptionally low due to the lower VAT.

VdK President Verena Bentele said that the government would once again cut back on those “who are least able to defend themselves”. The temporary tax cut, which was intended as a relief, would be “a great financial loss for those affected” by including it in the calculation of the Hartz IV rates, “she told the Funke newspapers. Bentele demanded to compensate for the inflation-related price increase and the Hartz IV rates generally to be raised.

In the regular annual adjustment of the standard rates, in addition to wages, above all the price development is taken into account. The Federal Government bases its calculation on a fictitious basket of goods and services that it believes are necessary for the subsistence level.