Due to the sharp rise in additional costs for non-grid-connected energy sources, the federal government has made funding of up to 1.8 billion euros available, which will be distributed among the federal states according to a distribution formula. Applications are submitted and processed via the federal states or their approval office using an online platform.

The hardship grants are available to private households in the Federal Republic of Germany that use non-pipeline-based energy sources for heating. The hardship aid is intended to cushion the additional costs for these energy sources in 2022 that exceed a doubling of the price level from 2021. It is therefore not a question of doubling the individual procurement costs, but of doubling them compared to the average value for 2021, the so-called reference price. The following reference prices were determined by the federal government for the whole of Germany

• Heating oil: 71 ct/l (incl. VAT)
• Liquid gas: 57 ct/l (incl. VAT)
• Wood pellets: 24 ct/kg (incl. VAT)
• Wood chips: 11 ct/kg (incl. VAT)
• Wood briquettes: 28 ct/kg (incl. VAT)
• Logs: 85 Euro/meter (incl. VAT)
• Coal/coke: 36 ct/kg (incl. VAT)

Of the costs that exceed a doubling of the costs compared to 2021, affected private households will be reimbursed 80% for the respective energy source, provided the amount is more than 100 euros and does not exceed 2,000 euros.

The subsidy amount is calculated using the following formula
Subsidy= 0.8 x (invoice amount 2022 - 2x (reference price x order quantity))
Relief is available to households living in their own property, as well as tenants. The property must be heated by a heating system that does not use grid-bound energy sources.

Invoices from private households from the period from January 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022 can be taken into account when applying for hardship assistance. The delivery date is decisive in determining whether the costs were incurred during the relief period.

Operators of a fireplace (heating system) are eligible to apply. The application for hardship assistance for private households must be submitted by the person who operates the heating system in a residential building and purchases the energy source. If the fireplace is operated by a private household, a person from the private household may submit an application as the direct applicant.

If fireplaces for heating private households are operated centrally by a landlord, a landlady or a condominium association (WEG), they are eligible to apply as central applicants. A declaration must be made that the funding received will be passed on to the tenants.

As a tenant, you do not have to take action yourself unless you have ordered and paid for fuel yourself.