Letter from the Jobcenter: what it means and how to reply

Since 1 July 2026 Grundsicherungsgeld (basic income support) has replaced Bürgergeld. It is based on a reform of the Second Book of the Social Code (SGB II). If you were already receiving benefits, you do not need to make a new application. Only when your current approval period (Bewilligungszeitraum) ends do you need a Weiterbewilligungsantrag (application to continue benefits), as before.

Decisions issued before 1 July 2026 remain valid. Letters and forms are being changed step by step. If your letter still says "Bürgergeld", it is still valid.

The main changes concern the rules on duties and reductions. If you deliberately refuse reasonable work, you can temporarily lose the standard rate (Regelbedarf) completely. If you miss several appointments in a row, you can be treated as not reachable (nicht erreichbar). Details are in the letter types Leistungsminderung (benefit reduction) and Einladung zum Meldetermin (invitation to an appointment).

You can file a Widerspruch (objection) against a decision of the Jobcenter within one month (§ 84 Abs. 1 SGG). The deadline starts when the decision is deemed delivered (Bekanntgabe). A decision that comes by post counts as delivered on the fourth day after it was posted (§ 37 Abs. 2 SGB X). You can work out the end of the deadline with the deadline calculator.

The Widerspruch must be filed with the Jobcenter in writing, electronically or by having it recorded in person at the office (zur Niederschrift). A phone call or a conversation at the counter does not replace it. What counts is that your letter reaches the authority before the deadline ends. The date of the postmark is not enough. With an Einschreiben (registered letter) you can later prove that your letter was delivered.

If the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung (information on legal remedies, usually at the end of the letter) is missing from the decision or is wrong, the deadline is extended to one year (§ 66 Abs. 2 SGG). You do not have to give reasons, but it helps. Write your reply in German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

Yes. With an Überprüfungsantrag (request for review) under § 44 SGB X, the Jobcenter can check again even a decision that has become final. There is one special rule in SGB II: benefits that were paid too low are paid back retroactively for only one year, not for four years as with other social benefits (§ 40 Abs. 1 Satz 2 SGB II).

A German template for an Überprüfungsantrag to the Jobcenter is available on this site.

Free or low-cost help is available from social associations (Sozialverbände) such as VdK or SoVD (for members). If you have little money, you can apply at the Amtsgericht (local court) for a Beratungsschein, a voucher for advice from a lawyer (Beratungshilfe under the Beratungshilfegesetz). For insured persons and benefit recipients, a Widerspruch and a court case at the Sozialgericht (social court) cost no court fees (§ 183 SGG).

You may bring a person you trust as a supporter (Beistand) to appointments at the Jobcenter (§ 13 Abs. 4 SGB X). If you want someone else to deal with your post, a Vollmacht (power of attorney) helps.