200 euros energy money only in March? Minister of Education comforts students

It has long been clear that students and technical students will no longer receive the 200 euros that the traffic light government promised them in September this year. Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger made it clear in the Bundestag that they may have to wait until March.

"Our goal: At the end of winter, the heating bills come, the 200 euros must be in the accounts," said the FDP politician. Winter officially ends on March 19, 2023.

According to Stark-Watzinger, she is confident that the planned digital application platform will be activated by the beginning of 2023 at the latest. They are currently working "at high pressure", as she said, on such a platform. The state of Saxony-Anhalt will contribute its expertise from the development of BAföG-Digital. Schoolchildren and students in need have been able to apply for state support via this joint platform of the federal and state governments for two years.

It's all taking too long for the Union. Since September, the Ministry of Education has had time to install a payout mechanism. "Nothing happened except deep sleep," said CSU MP Daniela Ludwig.

The SPD rejected the accusation. There is no nationwide list with all proof of enrollment and account numbers, this must first be created, SPD MP Lina Seitzl defended the FDP-led Ministry of Education.

At the same time, Seitzl put pressure on the minister from her own government. She expects that applications could be made "this year" and that students and technical students would have the money in their accounts "by January at the latest". According to the words of the minister earlier in the debate, that sounded like wishful thinking.

According to the draft law, every student who is enrolled on December 1 is entitled to the 200 euros. "This also includes, for example, students in part-time studies or dual studies, students who are on a vacation semester and foreign students," it says.

There are no other requirements beyond the status of enrollment. It is expected that 2.85 million students and 450,000 pupils will be entitled to the energy price allowance.

The 200 euros will not be the first energy price flat rate for many students. This means everyone who works additionally. As early as September, they found 300 euros gross from their employer on the payslip. According to the Federal Statistical Office, almost 1.5 million students are employed in Germany.

In contrast to the 300 euros energy price flat rate for working people and also for pensioners, who should receive their 300 euros by mid-December, the 200 euros for students and technical students are tax-free according to the draft law.

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