Eimsbüttel: Application applications last 30 weeks!

Eimsbüttel: Application applications last 30 weeks!

in Hamburg attract long waiting times in processing housing benefit applications. Currently, applicants have to wait for a decision for some eight months. The location in the Eimsbüttel district is particularly bad, where the waiting time for housing benefit applications is now over 30 weeks. Eimsbüttel has the inglorious top position under the Hamburg districts, followed by Harburg, where the processing time is an average of 21 weeks. The average processing time in the entire city is just under 19 weeks, which poses great challenges for many citizens. A look at the current situation shows that there is more than just a small construction site that needs to be solved.

The left faction in the Hamburg town hall is critical of the long processing times. Olga Fritzsche, spokeswoman for social policy, calls for a simplification of the application process. She sees urgent need for action and emphasizes that the long waiting times for those affected are bad. Senator Andreas Dressel from the SPD is also dissatisfied with the current situation and announces that surveys should be completed to improve the procedures before the summer break.

background of the problem

The reasons for the long waiting times are diverse. An essential factor is the lack of personnel, which is reinforced by disease failures and the processing of fall residues. When applying, many details must also be observed: the application must be fully filled out, and all information must be proven by appropriate evidence. Incomplete information means that additional claims are made, which can further extend the processing times. In fact, the processing of housing allowance applications can take some time, whereby the authority emphasizes that longer waiting times are not at the expense of the applicants. Retroactive additional payments are possible and start from the month in which the application was received by the housing benefit office.

The discussion about the applications for housing benefit is not the only construction site in Hamburg. Parents in Eimsbüttel also have an average of 78 days waiting for parental allowance, and in Altona there are even 97 days. Senator Dressel describes these waiting times as unacceptable and announces that it also accelerate this process. The persistent problems have already led to protests and demonstrations in Eimsbüttel, because many parents are amazed at the long waiting time.

What do the numbers say?

The current state also has an impact on support in the social field. Around 27,000 people in Hamburg receive housing benefit. In order to improve the process, it could be helpful to put the administration on a more comprehensive and efficient basis that generates less bureaucracy. In addition, it would make sense to rely on digital solutions to shorten the procedures.

For everyone who has questions about housing benefit or ongoing applications, a central housing benefit hotline is available. This can be helpful to clarify ambiguities and to solve any problems quickly.

summarized it is clear: the processing times for housing allowance applications in Hamburg are under pressure and urgently need reforms. The coming months could be decisive to achieve an improvement for those affected. So let's be excited to see how the plans of Senator Dressel and the demands of the left faction are put into reality.

For further information on the processing times and the housing benefit due, you can do the articles of Hamburg.de and the statistics on basic security on see Statistics-Authority