Caution with alternative heating methods
Municipality gives important advice
Never heat indoors with the following devices: Coal or gas grills, gas radiant heaters, open fires, ethanol stoves and so-called "tea light stoves." In addition to the fire hazard, there is an acute risk of poisoning from carbon monoxide (CO). The insidious thing about carbon monoxide is that it is odorless and thus cannot be seen, tasted or smelled by humans. Major symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, drowsiness, severe headache, confusion and chills.
"We really strongly caution against getting creative with heating," appeals Sebastian Neuwirth of the Fire and Emergency Management Division. "In most cases, these alternative methods also have little heating power, so the actual goal is missed. Wolfsburgers may and should of course continue to heat their homes. However, it should be checked, for example, whether new, modern thermostats have been installed on all radiators. With these modern thermostats, the room temperature can be regulated well and that saves energy and money in the end."
Heating with fireplaces and appliances designed for the purpose also poses risks of fires (such as chimney fires) and carbon monoxide poisoning if used incorrectly. Never operate wood stoves with leftover or bulky waste, plastic, wet wood, or candle residue. The wrong fuel causes buildup in the chimney, which can lead to chimney fires. Also: wood stoves need to be inspected regularly.
The city of Wolfsburg recently launched Wir regeln das! Together.save.energy campaign to raise awareness of energy issues among residents of Wolfsburg. The campaign also includes the topic of energy assistance, in which information is provided about support services for rising energy costs.
Support for high energy costs
Due to the rise in gas and energy prices, many people are worried about how they will pay their living and energy costs in the future. One thing is clear: Those who have to spend more on heating, hot water, lighting and running the refrigerator and electronic devices have less money left over for food, clothing or education.
If people have to spend an above-average proportion of their income on heating and household energy, or are no longer able to pay their energy bills because of their income situation, they are considered to be in energy poverty.
Check own claims
Especially in the current situation, citizens should not be afraid to check whether they are entitled to financial support.
Housing allowance
The housing allowance is a subsidy that helps tenants or owners to cover their housing costs. In principle, this subsidy does not have to be repaid. The amount of the housing allowance depends on the number of household members to be considered, the rent to be considered and the income. Anyone wishing to apply for housing allowance can contact:
City Hall B | Room 104
Opening hours:
Monday: 08:30 - 12:00
Tuesday: 08:30 - 16:30 hrs
Wednesday: 08:30 - 12:00 o'clock
Thursday: 08:30 - 17:30 hrs
Friday: 08:30 - 12:00 o'clock
The necessary application forms and the housing allowance calculator, which can be used to calculate a possible claim in advance, can be found on the website of the service portal of the state of Lower Saxony.
Benefits according to SGB II and SGB XII
If the income of a household is permanently insufficient for subsistence, citizens may be entitled to benefits under SGB II (unemployment benefit II) or SGB XII (e.g. basic security in old age). The benefits according to SGB II and SGB XII include the standard needs, possible additional needs and the need for accommodation and heating. Benefits can also be granted as a top-up if income is available - i.e. for a part of living expenses that cannot be covered by one's own income.
On the website of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, there is an online calculator that you can use to determine in just a few steps which family benefits or assistance you or your family are likely to be entitled to.
Responsible for benefits under SGB II is:
Jobcenter Wolfsburg
Porschestrasse 2
38440 Wolfsburg
Further information can be found on the Jobcenter homepage at www.jobcenter-wolfsburg.de.
For benefits according to SGB XII, please contact:
Division of Social Affairs
City Hall B | Room 104
Opening hours:
| Mon. | 08:30 - 12:00 |
| Tues. | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Wed. | 08:30 - 12:00 |
| Thu. | 08:30 - 17:30 |
| Fri. | 08:30 - 12:00 |
Who so far no benefits from the JobCenter Wolfsburg can apply here:
JobCenter Wolfsburg
Porschestrasse 2
38440 Wolfsburg
Phone: 05361/4649100
Further information can be found on the Jobcenter homepage at www.jobcenter-wolfsburg.de
Who so far no benefits according to SGB XII can apply here:
City Hall B | Room 104
Opening hours:
| Mon. | 08:30 - 12:00 |
| Tues. | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Wed. | 08:30 - 12:00 |
| Thu. | 08:30 - 17:30 |
| Fri. | 08:30 - 12:00 |
Claim after high heating cost back payments
Low-income consumers or recipients of housing subsidies who have not yet received permanent benefits from the JobCenter Wolfsburg or the Social Welfare Division can receive assistance under the SGB II and SGB XII regulatory systems after receiving a heating bill: In the month in which it is due, any additional payment can be taken into account as a need, so that citizens* may become eligible for benefits under SGB II or SGB XII for one month and thus receive a subsidy for their additional heating cost payment.
In order to receive such a one-off benefit, those affected must go through the normal application procedure of the JobCenter Wolfsburg or the Social Welfare Division (see above).
Energy, rent, legal and debt counseling
- Consumer Center Wolfsburg
- Debt counseling AWO Wolfsburg
- Debt counseling Caritasverband Wolfsburg e.V.
- Lower Saxony State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family: Promotion of measures for persons in exceptional social problem situations
Securing the energy supply
Time and again, citizens are threatened with disconnection of their energy supply if they fail to pay an energy bill. In many cases, they can avoid a disconnection if they agree with the energy supplier to pay in installments or at a later date.
The City of Wolfsburg can only take over the energy arrears as a very last resort - i.e. only when an electricity or gas cut-off is imminent or has already taken place. The prerequisite for this is that those affected have no possibility of self-help, have paid the current installment and the future installment payments are secured. As a rule, such a transfer takes the form of a loan.
The Wolfsburg JobCenter is responsible for recipients of benefits under Social Code Book II. For recipients of benefits according to SGB XII and other persons, the Social Welfare Office of the City of Wolfsburg is responsible.
Related informations about the topic Energy saving
Further advisory services offered by the Lower Saxony Consumer Advice Center
The consumer centers in Lower Saxony are now offering personal advice on saving energy.
Make an appointment by phone: 0800 809802400