Verena Bentele, the president of the social association VdK, has accused Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) of misleading the public regarding the Citizen Benefit (“Bürgergeld”). Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, Bentele stated that the concept of “massive increases” to the standard rate, as phrased by Minister Dobrindt, is simply untrue.
According to Bentele, the Citizen Benefit has not been raised at all in recent years, even while prices have continuously climbed. She pointed out that everyone can feel the impact of the rising costs at the supermarket. Furthermore, she highlighted that recipients are only allocated six euros a day for food purchases. Bentele concluded by demanding an explanation from the minister as to where, under these circumstances, further savings are possible.
This criticism comes as Minister Dobrindt had previously advocated for reductions to the Citizen Benefit during recent reform debates.
