Federal Government Implements Energy Flat Rate for Students
The German Federal Government is hoping to relieve the financial burden on students and trainees through a one-time lump sum energy payment. Students will soon be able to apply for a one-time energy price allowance (Energiepauschale) of 200 euros. The plan is scheduled to begin on 15 March 2023. More information on this one-time payment can be found here: www.einmalzahlung200.de/eppsg-en, an information hotline is also available to answer questions.
Starting on Wednesday 15 March 2023, students are expected to receive the one-time lump sum energy allowance of 200 euros upon application. Additional information on the payment can be found at www.einmalzahlung200.de (also available in English). An information hotline is also available for specific questions regarding the payment. The hotline can be reached Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8 am to 4 pm and Fridays from 8 am to noon at 0800 2623 003.
Take these steps now to save time later: You will need a »BundID-Konto« for the one-time payment. You can apply for this now. To prove your identity, you will also need an online ID, a European electronic identification (eID) or your personal ELSTER certificate. Information on registering for your »BundID« can be found here or at Studis online.
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Student Office will soon be sending out the access data required for your application. Be sure to check your university e-mail account regularly. Once the application portal opens, your StudyGuides studyguides[at]uni-weimar.de will be available to help you. You will receive further information in the e-mail with your personal access data.
What kind of payment is this?
In order to be eligible for the one-time payment of 200 euros, applicants must be enrolled as students at German universities as of 1 December 2022 and must live in Germany. Part-time students, doctoral candidates, students in dual study programmes, students on leave of absence, students who are studying abroad and foreign students are also eligible. The energy allowance is not subject to taxation. The allowance does not count against income-related benefits or social security contributions.
How can I apply for the energy allowance?
The federal and state governments have created a digital application platform for students to apply for the allowance. The Federal Government has provided the funding for this. The state governments are responsible for payment distribution. The state governments are individually responsible for implementing the legal conditions for allowance applications. The standardised nationwide application for the one-time payment of 200 euros is scheduled to begin on 15 March 2023.
What does it take so long to receive the payment?
Unfortunately, immediate payment of the 200 euros is not possible due to limited accessibility to bank details. This differs from payments made to pensioners, for example, who regularly receive pension payments. This is why students are required to apply for the energy allowance.
A payment to nearly 3.5 million people across 16 states at more than 4,000 educational institutions has never been carried out in this way before. New structures are needed for both the applications and the payments. Establishing legal provisions in each federal state is also necessary.
Additional information can be found at www.einmalzahlung200.de as well as at Flyer zur Einmalzahlung.