The debt counseling centers in Rhineland-Palatinate receive additional support from the state to help people in need deal with rising energy costs. A total of 300,000 euros will be made available for this, as the Ministry of Social Affairs announced on Monday. Debt counseling centers and insolvency counseling centers that expand their range of services to include advice on energy costs are funded.

"Many households that have so far been able to cope with the dramatic cost increases on their own are reaching their limits in winter," said Social Affairs Minister Alexander Schweitzer (SPD). In order to avoid power outages or even losing their home in winter, people at risk of poverty should have access to counseling services at an early stage.