Overview of the regulations of the 3rd relief package
22 January 2023
"Second heating cost allowance" for recipients of WoGG and BAföG
For recipients of housing allowance, students and trainees, persons in upgrading training and trainees with vocational training allowance or training allowance and pupils in vocational training who receive benefits under BAföG or the Upgrading Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz) with a maintenance contribution or are supported under SGB III. Amount of support: first household member (HM) 415 €, two HM 540 €, each additional HM 100 €. For trainees with BAföG, training and vocational training allowances 345 €. No application is required. The decisive factor for entitlement to the heating cost subsidy is that the respective subsidy has been approved for at least one of the months from September to December 2022. Payment until the end of December.
More info: Relief through second heating cost subsidy | Federal Government
One-off payment for pensioners / energy price flat rate of € 300
Anyone who is a recipient of a current pension from the statutory pension insurance on 1 Dec. 2022 will receive the flat-rate energy allowance. It is irrelevant whether the pension is paid for a limited or unlimited period. Entitlement only exists if the person is domiciled in Germany. Payment is made irrespective of marital status. In the case of a married couple, both can receive the flat-rate energy allowance if both also draw a pension. Insofar as several pensions are drawn by one person (e.g. old-age pension and widow's pension), the flat-rate energy allowance is only paid once. Further information: Homepage | Energy Price Flat Rate for Pensioners | German Pension Insurance (deutsche-rentenversicherung.de)
One-off payment of 200 euros for students and trainees
Students and students of technical colleges receive a one-off payment of € 200 regardless of whether they receive BAföG or not. Payment not before February/March 2023
More info: Energy price flat rate for students | Federal Government
Tax and social security free "inflation compensation premium" by employer in the amount of € 3000
From 26 Oct. 2022 to 31 Dec. 2024, employers can pay out up to € 3,000 in inflation compensation premiums per employee free of tax and social security contributions; partial payments are also possible (§ 3 No. 11b EstG); these are free of charge in SGB II.
More info: Inflation compensation premium up to 3,000 euros tax-free | Federal Government
Extension of housing benefit entitlement, introduction of a heating cost and climate component
As of 1 Jan. 2023, the housing allowance will be permanently extended to include heating costs, thus significantly expanding the number of eligible persons. The WoGG will increase by an average of around € 190 per month in 2023.
More info: More housing benefit for more people | Federal Government
Child benefit and child supplement increase
On 1 January 2023, child benefit is to be increased to € 250, the increase will be fully taken into account in SGB II/SGB XII.