After several delays, students and technical students have been able to apply for an energy flat-rate since March 15th. According to its own statements, the federal government has now approved more than a million applications.
More than a million applications for the 200-euro energy price flat rate for students and technical students have been approved so far. This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education. So far, almost 650,000 applicants have received money, which corresponds to a total of around 130 million euros.
The ministry is satisfied with the process: “Every hour about 10,000 are added. On average, five hours elapsed between application and approval,” wrote Parliamentary State Secretary Jens Brandenburg. In most cases, the money is in the account within two working days. “That shows how good the platform is one-time payment200.de works, which we built together with Saxony-Anhalt.”
Waiting for relief
The traffic light coalition agreed on the special payment at the beginning of September last year. At the time, there was talk of a quick and unbureaucratic payment. However, the implementation was repeatedly delayed.
There was also criticism of the so-called BundID account, which is a mandatory requirement for the application process. Network activists warned that, according to the General Data Protection Regulation, there should actually be an analogous way of submitting an application. On Twitter, users also report problems setting up the account.
200 euros for students and technical students
Around 3.5 million students and technical students who were enrolled at a university or in a technical college as of December 1, 2022 are entitled to the money. A domicile or “habitual abode” in Germany is required. A corresponding application is made on the application platform set up by the federal and state governments for this purpose one-time payment200.de. The money is intended to relieve the sharp rise in energy prices.