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BriefDiener
DE

Jobcenter

Mitwirkungsaufforderung: the Jobcenter wants documents, what to do now

What this letter means

With a Mitwirkungsaufforderung (request to cooperate / provide documents) the Jobcenter asks for documents or information it needs to make a decision, for example bank statements (Kontoauszüge), payslips or your rental contract. The legal basis is § 60 SGB I.

If you send nothing, the Jobcenter may refuse or withdraw the benefit in full or in part (§ 66 Abs. 1 SGB I). But this is only allowed if it has told you about this consequence in writing beforehand and given you a reasonable deadline (§ 66 Abs. 3 SGB I).

If you provide the cooperation later, the Jobcenter can pay the benefit afterwards (§ 67 SGB I). The duty has limits: you do not have to provide anything the Jobcenter can get itself with less effort, or anything that is unreasonable (§ 65 SGB I).

Since July 2026 the Jobcenter can also make agreements from the Kooperationsplan (cooperation plan) binding by an official decision (Verwaltungsakt) with information on the legal consequences, if you do not keep to them. Breaking them can lead to a Leistungsminderung (benefit reduction).

What to do now

  1. 1Put the deadline from the letter in your calendar.
  2. 2Make a list of the documents requested and tick off what you have.
  3. 3Send copies, not originals, and keep a copy of everything yourself.
  4. 4Add a short cover letter in German with your customer number (Kundennummer) and a list of the enclosures (Anlagen).
  5. 5If something is missing, write before the deadline ends explaining why and when you will send it.
  6. 6Ask for confirmation of receipt or use an Einschreiben (registered letter).

How you can reply

Send the documents within the deadline

With a cover letter and a list of enclosures, so that you can later prove what you sent.

Ask for an extension of the deadline

If you first have to request a document, for example from your employer or your bank. Give the reason and a realistic date.

Widerspruch (objection) against a refusal

If the Jobcenter refused the benefit because you did not cooperate, you can object within one month and send the documents at the same time. The template on this site is in German.

Template: Widerspruch gegen einen Bescheid des Jobcenters

Common questions

What happens if I miss the deadline?

The Jobcenter can refuse or withdraw the benefit if it told you about this in writing beforehand (§ 66 SGB I). Send the documents as quickly as possible. It can then pay the benefit afterwards (§ 67 SGB I).

Do I really have to send everything?

You have to give information that is relevant for the benefit. You do not have to meet requests that are disproportionate or unreasonable (§ 65 SGB I). If in doubt, ask in writing what a document is needed for.

Can I send the documents online?

Yes, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit offers eServices for this. Save the upload confirmation.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 60 SGB I: Angabe von Tatsachen
  2. § 65 SGB I: Grenzen der Mitwirkung
  3. § 66 SGB I: Folgen fehlender Mitwirkung
  4. § 67 SGB I: Nachholung der Mitwirkung
  5. Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Grundsicherungsgeld, Rechte, Pflichten und Minderungen
  6. Bundesagentur für Arbeit: eServices (Widerspruch und Einspruch online)

Research as of: 10 November 2026