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Jobcenter

Einladung (invitation) from the Jobcenter: do I have to go?

What this letter means

With an Einladung (invitation, also called Meldeaufforderung) the Jobcenter asks you to come to a meeting, for example about your job search or your Kooperationsplan (cooperation plan). The legal basis is § 59 SGB II together with § 309 SGB III. The invitation includes information about the consequences if you do not come.

If you stay away repeatedly without an important reason, your Grundsicherungsgeld is reduced for one month by 30 percent of the standard rate (§ 32 SGB II). According to the Federal Government, a single missed appointment does not yet lead to a reduction.

New since July 2026: if you do not follow three invitations in a row without an important reason, you are treated as not reachable (nicht erreichbar). Your entitlement to benefits then ends from the following month until you report to the Jobcenter in person (§ 7b Abs. 4 SGB II).

A Widerspruch (objection) against the invitation itself does not postpone the appointment (§ 39 Nr. 3 SGB II).

What to do now

  1. 1Put the date, time and place in your calendar straight away.
  2. 2Read which documents you should bring and get them ready.
  3. 3If you cannot come, inform the Jobcenter before the appointment and give the reason. Write in German if you can.
  4. 4Send proof with it, for example a doctor's certificate or an invitation to a job interview.
  5. 5Ask for a new appointment and write down when and how you cancelled.
  6. 6If you have travel costs, you can apply to have them refunded (§ 309 Abs. 4 SGB III).

How you can reply

Go to the appointment

The safest option. You may bring a person you trust as a supporter (Beistand, § 13 Abs. 4 SGB X).

Cancel in writing and ask for a new appointment

If there is an important reason. Give your customer number (Kundennummer) and the date of the invitation and include proof. Write the letter in German.

Reply to the Anhörung (hearing)

If you missed an appointment, the Jobcenter usually asks you in writing for the reason. Reply within the deadline given and include proof.

Common questions

What counts as an important reason (wichtiger Grund)?

The law does not give a complete list of reasons. The Jobcenter checks each case. If you are ill or have a job interview at the same time, tell the Jobcenter immediately and give proof.

What happens if I forget an appointment once?

According to the Federal Government, a single missed appointment does not yet lead to a reduction. If you repeatedly do not come, you lose 30 percent of the standard rate for one month (§ 32 SGB II). Contact the Jobcenter immediately anyway and arrange a new appointment.

What does "nicht erreichbar" (not reachable) mean?

After three missed appointments in a row without an important reason, your entitlement ends until you report to the Jobcenter in person. For one month, housing and heating are still paid, but the standard rate is not (§ 7b Abs. 4 SGB II).

Can I bring someone to the appointment?

Yes. You can come with a supporter (Beistand), for example a person from an advice centre or from your family (§ 13 Abs. 4 SGB X). This can also help if your German is not yet strong.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 59 SGB II: Meldepflicht
  2. § 309 SGB III: Allgemeine Meldepflicht
  3. § 32 SGB II: Meldeversäumnisse
  4. § 7b SGB II: Erreichbarkeit
  5. § 39 SGB II: Sofortige Vollziehbarkeit
  6. § 13 SGB X: Bevollmächtigte und Beistände
  7. Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Grundsicherungsgeld, Rechte, Pflichten und Minderungen
  8. Bundesregierung: Bürgergeld wird zur neuen Grundsicherung

Research as of: 10 November 2026