Status: 09/20/2021 9:43 p.m.
Since September 17th, those affected by the storm can apply for reconstruction aid from the federal government. Many people are now reporting to the municipalities who have problems with the applications.
More than two months after the disaster, many flood victims hope that they will at least get compensation for their financial losses. Around 12.3 billion euros are available for this purpose for North Rhine-Westphalia.
At the moment, however, many applicants are in despair, reports for example District of Euskirchen. “On Friday alone we had more than 600 calls to our hotline,” a spokesman for the district told WDR.
Bureaucratic and not easy
There are many and very different difficulties with which those affected seek help. Older people in particular often fail to register online when submitting their application. The first hurdle is your own e-mail address, which not everyone has – but which you need to successfully register.
In addition, those affected need numerous receipts and documents to document their damage. However, if you have lost everything due to the flood, you may no longer know your personal tax ID, which is also requested.
System keeps giving error messages
Euskirchen District Administrator Markus Ramers (SPD) also reports on many technical problems in the application process. Because many people would not have been able to submit the actual application at the end of the procedure. Instead, there were repeated errors from the system. That could not be explained to the citizens, said the district administrator.
Corresponding criticism also comes from the Rhein-Sieg district. For example, the Rheinbach politician Georg Wilmers (SPD) is annoyed that he and other people affected could have been spared hours of troubleshooting.
Help with applications
Without help, many people will not be able to cope with the applications, is the current conclusion at the Euskirchen district. Therefore, in addition to their own hotline in the municipalities, there are also a total of twelve central contact points for advice on all aspects of reconstruction aid.
In addition, employees of the district are in a mobile home every day in particularly affected locations to give tips on the applications. This week the “Info-Mobile” stops in Flamersheim, Iversheim, Blankenheim-Ahrhütte and Kommern, for example.
People in the Rhein-Sieg district can also get help with their application. Even if you don’t have internet at the moment. There are a total of four points of contact for questions: in Meckenheim, Rheinbach, Siegburg and Swisttal. Those seeking help must make an appointment in advance.
Further information on advice options:
Source: wdr.de
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