Jobcenter
Aufhebungs- und Erstattungsbescheid from the Jobcenter (repayment demand): what now?
What this letter means
With this decision the Jobcenter cancels an earlier approval in full or in part and asks you to pay back the money that was paid too much. The cancellation is usually based on § 48 SGB X (your circumstances have changed, for example because of new income) or on § 45 SGB X (the approval was wrong from the start). The repayment demand itself is based on § 50 SGB X.
If the repayment for the whole Bedarfsgemeinschaft (benefit household) would be less than 50 euros, the law does not allow a cancellation for the past (§ 40 Abs. 1 Satz 3 SGB II).
Important: a Widerspruch (objection) against the cancellation has no suspensive effect (keine aufschiebende Wirkung, § 39 Nr. 1 SGB II). You can additionally apply for enforcement to be suspended (Aussetzung der Vollziehung). You can do this at the Jobcenter (§ 86a Abs. 3 SGG) and at the Sozialgericht (social court, § 86b SGG).
If you still receive benefits, the Jobcenter can offset the claim against your ongoing payments (Aufrechnung). It must do this by a written decision. Depending on the reason, the offset is 10 or 30 percent of the standard rate (§ 43 SGB II).
What to do now
- 1Note the date of the decision and the end of the deadline.
- 2Read for which months and for what reason the Jobcenter wants money back.
- 3Check whether you reported the change in time, and look for proof of this.
- 4Compare the amounts counted with your bank statements and payslips.
- 5If anything is unclear, ask to see your file (Akteneinsicht).
- 6File a Widerspruch within the deadline if the reason or the amount is wrong. Write it in German. The templates on this site are in German.
- 7If you cannot pay everything at once, contact the Inkasso-Service (debt collection service) of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) early.
How you can reply
File a Widerspruch (objection)
If the reason for the cancellation or the amount demanded is wrong. Include proof, for example the confirmation that you reported a change.
Template: Widerspruch gegen einen Bescheid des JobcentersRequest access to your file (Akteneinsicht)
If you do not know which documents the Jobcenter based its decision on.
Template: Akteneinsicht bei einer Behoerde beantragenApply for suspension of enforcement (Aussetzung der Vollziehung)
In addition to the Widerspruch, if you want the repayment to be put on hold until a decision is made. If your basic living is at risk, an Eilantrag (urgent application) at the Sozialgericht is also possible (§ 86b SGG).
Ask about instalments or paying later
If the claim is correct but you cannot pay it all at once. The Inkasso-Service of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit is responsible.
Common questions
Do I have to pay even though I have filed a Widerspruch?
A Widerspruch against the cancellation has no suspensive effect (§ 39 SGB II). So also apply to the Jobcenter for suspension of enforcement (Aussetzung der Vollziehung). If it refuses, the Sozialgericht can decide in urgent proceedings.
Can the Jobcenter simply deduct the claim from my Grundsicherungsgeld?
Only by a written decision. The offset is 10 percent of the standard rate if the claim comes, for example, from a provisional approval or from income received later, otherwise 30 percent. In total, no more than 30 percent is allowed (§ 43 SGB II).
I reported the change, but the Jobcenter kept paying. Do I still have to pay back?
That depends on the individual case, mainly on whether you could see that you were no longer entitled to the money (§ 48 SGB X). Include proof of your report with the Widerspruch and get advice.
Who sends me the reminders (Mahnungen)?
The repayment is collected by the Inkasso-Service of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit on behalf of the Jobcenter. But only the Jobcenter can explain why money is being demanded back. If you do not pay, reminder fees follow and later enforcement by the Hauptzollamt (main customs office).
Sources (German law and official pages)
- § 45 SGB X: Rücknahme eines rechtswidrigen begünstigenden Verwaltungsaktes
- § 48 SGB X: Aufhebung bei Änderung der Verhältnisse
- § 50 SGB X: Erstattung zu Unrecht erbrachter Leistungen
- § 39 SGB II: Sofortige Vollziehbarkeit
- § 40 SGB II: Anwendung von Verfahrensvorschriften
- § 43 SGB II: Aufrechnung
- § 86a SGG: Aufschiebende Wirkung
- § 86b SGG: Eilrechtsschutz beim Sozialgericht
- § 84 SGG: Frist und Form des Widerspruchs
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Inkasso-Service, wie Sie richtig reagieren
Research as of: 10 November 2026