Overview

• Federal figures reveal that 339,000 Bürgergeld households in Germany faced housing and heating cost gaps in the past year, up from 320,000 the previous year.
• The average shortfall between actual and state-recognized housing costs is €118 per month, affecting 11.6% of the 2.9 million Bürgergeld households.
• By law, only 'adequate' housing and heating costs are covered, forcing many recipients to cover the difference from basic allowances or savings.
• The Union-SPD coalition plans to reform Bürgergeld into a stricter 'Grundsicherung für Arbeitssuchende' model, emphasizing work requirements and sanctions.
• Left-wing MPs, including Caren Lay, are calling for full coverage of real housing and energy costs, warning that current gaps force difficult choices for low-income households.