Help with electricity debts: apply for a fee-free loan

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Electricity and gas are becoming more expensive, for many too expensive. Last year, according to the Berlin Energy Debt Advisory Service, 11,837 households in the capital were cut off from electricity by Vattenfall and 1,264 households from gas by Gasag because bills were not paid. In the past few weeks, numerous utilities have announced that they will raise their tariffs again due to the rise in energy prices on the world market. For the next few months, Elisabeth Grauel, project manager at energy debt advice, expects a real wave of people who come to the advice centers because they no longer know how to settle the higher bills from electricity and gas providers.

A current study by the energy debt advice service of the consumer centers in Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate has shown that many are not even aware of their entitlement to subsidies or assistance from the social welfare authorities. The energy debt advice service provides free advice. “First of all, we check what claims there might be against the social service provider or, if necessary, we also get in touch with the basic providers,” says Grauel. Those who receive social benefits can, for example, apply for a free loan from the job center. Another option is to check your entitlement to housing benefit in order to increase your financial resources.

Arrange installment payments with the basic provider

Since December, new regulations have also applied to basic service contracts. “Before a basic supplier – in Berlin Vattenfall and Gasag – carries out a block, it has to make the consumer an offer to pay in installments,” explains Grauel. If these rates are too high, the energy debt advisors could try again to renegotiate.

Advice & help

The energy debt advice is free. A personal appointment can be made by calling 030/214 85 202. Opening times: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Even without an appointment Consultation hours are possible at the following locations: Mehrgenerationenhaus Orangerie-Kiezspinne, Schulze-Boysen-Str. 38, Berlin-Lichtenberg; District office of the consumer center Berlin e. V., Lübecker Str. 49, Berlin-Mitte and Gesobau neighborhood floor, Wilhelmsruher Damm 124, Berlin-Reinickendorf. Consultation hours at consumerzentrale-berlin.de/energieschuldenberatung

“For consumers with low incomes, the rising costs are a major burden,” said Grauel. Many of these households would have to heat with electricity and generate their hot water electrically. “There are many apartments in Berlin that have been badly renovated. That also means significantly higher costs. “

Electricity costs must be paid at the standard rate for social assistance and unemployment benefit II recipients. As of January 1, 2022, the standard rate for a single adult will increase by three euros to 449 euros per month. In the vast majority of cases, the electricity price increases are disproportionately higher. Social associations and consumer advocates have long criticized the fact that the Hartz IV rate does not contain enough electricity.

Often no full coverage of electrical heating costs

In the case of heating costs, the assumption of costs for unemployment benefit II recipients is different. These do not fall under the standard rate, but are adopted in “appropriate form”. The random sample of the consumer advice centers showed, however, that a complete assumption of electrical heating costs only takes place with 41 percent. “The problem is that the electrical heating costs can only be covered if it can be proven what amount of electricity consumption actually went into heating,” says Grauel. With one and the same meter, however, this is difficult to determine.

And so many consumers with low incomes get into payment difficulties. It is also a misconception that there have to be three or four reminders before the electricity is actually turned off, according to Grauel from the energy debt advisory service. In the event of arrears in payment, the household concerned is first sent a so-called blocking threat in writing, from which it can be seen that the electricity or gas connection will be shut down if the arrears are not cleared. It must also be pointed out to options for avoiding the interruption. If the consumer does not react, a second letter follows, the so-called blocking notice, only eight days before electricity or gas is actually switched off. In order to have the energy lock lifted, the debts must first be paid in full.

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