After just over a week, almost 6,000 applications were received for the heating cost aid from the new Berlin state program. This was announced by the Senate Department for Economics at the request of the German Press Agency on Friday.
Households and tradespeople who heat with oil, pellets, coal or liquid gas can receive a one-time subsidy of up to 2000 euros against the background of significantly increased energy costs. Applications have been possible since January 31st. Most of the approximately 5,920 applications (as of Thursday) (5,685) are for grants for the cost of heating oil.
There were another 100 applications for pellet heating systems, and even fewer for expenditure on liquid gas or coal. All in all, the application volume so far adds up to around 5,686,000 euros. Approvals are not yet available, the processing time at the Investment Bank Berlin (IBB) is around four weeks, according to the economic administration.
Relief for cost increases of more than 70 percent
The new aid program is intended to relieve those who experienced cost increases of more than 70 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. The subsidy amounts to 80 percent of the additional costs above this value. However, there is a “de minimis limit” of 100 euros – amounts below this are not taken into account.
The number of applications confirms how important it was that we started the heating cost aid quickly, as the first federal state.
Stephen Black (independent), Economics Senator
“The number of applications confirm how important it was that we started heating cost assistance quickly, as the first federal state,” said Economics Senator Stephan Schwarz (independent). “The program is part of a large protective shield that Berlin has set up to quickly and reliably relieve the people and companies in our city in the energy crisis.”
In Berlin there are around 320,000 households that heat with oil and 7,800 that use pellets. There are also 1,900 apartments with coal stoves and a few hundred that are heated with liquid gas systems. In the supplementary budget, 75 million euros are earmarked for heating cost subsidies. In addition, corresponding federal funds are to be used, which Berlin is entitled to in the amount of 93.4 million euros. (dpa)
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