Social crisis in the district of Lörrach: alarming numbers and high rental prices!

In the district of Lörrach, the social burden is still high, as a current investigation by the district office shows. The increased number of unemployment and the strongly increasing social costs in the district are particularly striking. District social departmental Elke Zimmermann-Fiscella expressed concern about the worrying social Situation and the influencing factors, which include in particular the high rental prices.

The number of communities of needs, i.e. households that rely on citizens' allowance, exceeded the 6000 mark in August: five years ago, the number of needs communities was even significantly lower before the Corona pandemic further tightened the situation, such as Badische Zeitung reported.

Citizens' allowance as a social benefit

The citizens' benefit represents a state social benefit in Germany that is entitled to people who have no income or whose income is not sufficient for their own support. Jobcenters refer to the entitlement to the “community of needs”, such as The Federal Employment Agency explained.

In order to be entitled to citizenship, applicants must be in need, work capable, and at least 15 years old and based in Germany. For children under 15 or people with health restrictions, there is a claim if they live in a community of needs that is entitled to claim.

In addition, certain requirements must be met with foreign applicants: EU or EEA citizens or Swiss must have been employed in Germany beforehand, while third-country nationals are dependent on their residence status. If a legal residence permit is missing or there are already financial aid according to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, no entitlement to civil allowance is granted.