Leistungsminderung (benefit reduction) from the Jobcenter: what you can do

With a Minderungsbescheid (decision on a benefit reduction) the Jobcenter states that you have not met a duty and therefore reduces your Grundsicherungsgeld. Examples of not meeting a duty are missing job applications or stopping a measure (Maßnahme) without an important reason.

Since July 2026 the rule is: if you do not meet a duty, the benefit falls by 30 percent of the standard rate for three months (§ 31a Abs. 1, § 31b Abs. 2 SGB II). For repeatedly missed appointments it is 30 percent for one month (§ 32 SGB II). If you deliberately refuse reasonable work that is available immediately, the standard rate can be cut completely, for a maximum of two months (§ 31a Abs. 7, § 31b Abs. 3 SGB II).

The costs for housing and heating are not reduced by a Leistungsminderung (§ 31a Abs. 4 SGB II). The reduction starts in the month after the decision (§ 31b Abs. 1 SGB II). In a case of exceptional hardship (außergewöhnliche Härte), the Jobcenter must not reduce benefits (§ 31a Abs. 3 SGB II).

You can end the reduction: meet the duty later, or declare seriously that you will meet it in future. The reduction then ends once it has lasted at least one month (§ 31a Abs. 1, § 31b Abs. 2 SGB II). A Widerspruch (objection) has no suspensive effect (§ 39 Nr. 1 SGB II).