Citizen's Benefit

How much money will I receive as a recipient of ALG II?

The amount of money you receive as an ALG II recipient depends on what is known as the basic needs allowance. The basic needs allowance relates to the monthly cost of living. The money is paid as a lump sum (basic rate). Current basic rates can be found here.

In addition to the basic needs allowance, the costs for accommodation and heating are also reimbursed if they are reasonable (see also the section “ALG II and housing”). A personal income, for example from a mini job, can reduce the amount of ALG II. This is also the case with existing assets. There are allowances for both income and assets. These are allowable amounts that are not counted (see “ALG II and income” and “ALG II and assets”).

If you live with other members of a benefit community (see also “ALG II and family”), their income and assets will also be taken into consideration when calculating ALG II.

What are additional needs?

In addition to basic needs, there are what are called additional needs. These are recognized for people in special life situations, and additional financial support is provided for them. This is the case, for example, if you are expecting a child, are a single parent, or if you have a physical limitation. In addition to the amounts normally paid out for additional needs, one-off benefits are also available. Examples of this are the initial equipment to furnish a home (information on this can be found below) or to provide for a child, as well as benefits for education and participation.

Bürgergeld-Bonus und Weiterbildungsgeld

Wenn Sie Bürgergeld beziehen und sich weiterbilden wollen, können Sie zusätzliche finanzielle Unterstützung erhalten. Ziel ist es, Sie auf den Arbeitsmarkt vorzubereiten. Dabei geht es um eine langfristige Qualifizierung anstatt einer kurzfristigen Vermittlung. 

Möchten Sie sich durch Weiterbildungen zusätzlich qualifizieren oder Ihren Abschluss nachholen? Dann haben Sie möglicherweise Anspruch auf Bürgergeld-Bonus oder Weiterbildungsgeld. 

Wichtig: Ihr zuständiges Jobcenter berät Sie dazu, welche Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen in welchem Umfang gefördert werden können. Eine persönliche Beratung mit Ihrer Ansprechperson sollte daher der erste Schritt sein. 

Bürgergeld-Bonus

Für die Teilnahme an Maßnahmen, die für eine nachhaltige Integration besonders wichtig sind, gibt es einen monatlichen Bürgergeldbonus von 75 Euro. Der Bürgergeldbonus kann bei Teilnahme an folgenden Maßnahmen ausgezahlt werden:

 - nicht abschlussorientierte Weiterbildung mit einer Dauer von mehr als 8 Wochen 

- Einstiegsqualifizierung 

- berufsvorbereitende Bildungsmaßnahmen 

- Vorphase der Assistierten Ausbildung 

- Förderung schwer erreichbarer Jugendlicher nach § 16h Abs. 1 SGB II. 

Der Bürgergeld-Bonus gilt auch für Maßnahmen, die bereits vor dem 1. Juli 2023 begonnen haben und darüber hinaus andauern.

Weiterbildungsgeld

Monatlich 150 Euro extra werden gezahlt für die Teilnahme an einer geförderten beruflichen Weiterbildung, die zu einem Abschluss in einem Ausbildungsberuf führt.

Das Weiterbildungsgeld gilt auch für abschlussbezogene Weiterbildungen, die schon vor dem 1. Juli 2023 begonnen haben und darüber hinaus andauern.

Wann spricht man von einer nicht abschlussbezogenen Weiterbildung?

Ein wichtiger Begriff im Zusammenhang mit dem Bürgergeldbonus ist die nicht abschlussbezogene Weiterbildung. Das bedeutet: Die Weiterbildung hilft bei der nachhaltigen Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt, führt aber nicht zu einem Berufsabschluss. Beispiele sind etwa Kurse, bei denen Grundkompetenzen wie Computerkenntnisse erweitert werden. 

Wann spricht man von einer abschlussbezogenen Weiterbildung?

Ein wichtiger Begriff im Zusammenhang mit dem Weiterbildungsgeld ist die abschlussbezogene Weiterbildungsmaßnahme. Das bedeutet: Die Weiterbildung führt zum Berufsabschluss. Beispiele sind Umschulungen, berufliche Teilqualifizierungen oder Vorbereitungslehrgänge auf eine Externen- / Schulfremdenprüfung.

Wie lange kann das Weiterbildungsgeld gezahlt werden?

Das Weiterbildungsgeld von 150 Euro kann bis zu drei Jahre monatlich ausgezahlt werden. 

Welche weiteren Förderungen gibt es im Zusammenhang mit Umschulungen?

Zusätzlich gibt es die Weiterbildungsprämie von 1.000, bzw. 1.500 Euro bei erfolgreicher Teilnahme an einer geförderten Weiterbildung, die zu einem Abschluss in einem Ausbildungsberuf führt. Das bedeutet: Für das Bestehen einer vorgesehenen Zwischenprüfung oder des ersten Teils einer gestreckten Abschlussprüfung gibt es eine Prämie von 1.000 Euro. Beim erfolgreichen Abschluss in Form einer bestandenen Abschlussprüfung gibt es für diese eine Prämie von 1.500 Euro. 

Wie beantrage ich Bürgergeld-Bonus und Weiterbildungsgeld?

Sie müssen Weiterbildungsgeld und Bürgergeld-Bonus nicht extra beantragen. Das Jobcenter zahlt Ihnen den Bürgergeld-Bonus, bzw. das Weiterbildungsgeld monatlich nachträglich aus. Wenn Sie sich unsicher sind, ob Ihre Weiterbildungsmaßnahme die Voraussetzung erfüllt, hilft Ihnen Ihre Ansprechperson beim Jobcenter. Eine Beratung ist jedem Fall empfehlenswert.

Wie bekomme ich die Weiterbildungsprämie?

Auch die Weiterbildungsprämie muss nicht beantragt werden. Sie müssen lediglich einen Nachweis, d.h. Zwischen- oder Abschlusszeugnis, beim Jobcenter erbringen. 

Müssen Kurse für den Bürgergeldbonus in Vollzeit absolviert werden?

Nein. Ihre Ansprechperson in dem für Sie zuständigen Jobcenter bespricht mit Ihnen, welche Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen Sie in welchem Umfang für eine Förderung besuchen können. 

An important term in the context of ALG II is the benefit community. This refers to a community of people who live together as a household, for example a family. The conditions for a benefit community are described in detail in the Social Security Code. The most important points are briefly presented here.

When do we talk about a benefit community? 

A benefit community refers to all persons living in one household with at least one recipient of ALG II.

A benefit community includes:

• The person receiving ALG II
• The spouse or registered civil partner provided that the couple does not live separately
• A cohabiting partner (condition: the partners live in a shared household on the understanding that they are responsible for one another and support each other. This is presumed, for example, if the partnership has been in existence longer than one year or if they have children together);
• Children who live in the household and are younger than 25 years of age (condition: the children are unmarried, able to work, and cannot meet their living costs from their own income. Income of children includes, for example, child benefit or maintenance payments)
• The parent(s) of an unmarried child who is able to work, is between 15 and 25 years of age, and has applied for ALG II (condition: the parents live in the same household with the child. The parent’s partner is included here).

Who is not part of a benefit community? 

The following do not belong to a benefit community:

• Children who are able to cover their living costs from their own income or assets
• Married children and children who are already 25 years old even if they live with their parents
• Children who already have their own children
• Spouses and partners who live separately
• Grandparents
• Members of a shared flat/house (see also explanation of the term “household community” later in this section).

Temporary benefit community 

A temporary benefit community is when a child or children of separated parents regularly visit the other parent, but do not live with them permanently. The child may then be entitled to a day claim for the duration of their stay in the other parent’s household.

How much ALG II do you receive in a benefit community? 

If you live in a benefit community, the income and assets of all members of your benefit community are taken into account when calculating the amount of ALG II. The legislature has established this because it assumes that people who live together will support each other financially and cover their living costs together. The amount of ALG II therefore depends on the following criteria:

• The basic needs of the individual
• Accommodation and heating requirements
• Personal income (e.g. from a mini job) and assets
• Income and assets of other members of the benefit community.

Current basic rates can be found here.

What is the difference between a benefit community and a household community?

A household community refers to a community of people who live together as a household.

A household community exists if relatives (including relatives by marriage) live with the household but are not members of the benefit community.

For example, a household community includes:

• Relatives or in-laws (for example, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and siblings over 25 years of age).
• Own children and foster children who are at least 25 years old and live in the household.

If it is assumed that the members of a household community also support each other financially, this can have an impact on the calculation of ALG II. However, this applies only insofar as this can be expected according to their income and assets.

Will the costs of your home be covered?

As a rule, yes. Part of the basic income support for jobseekers also covers the costs of accommodation and heating. This applies both if you live in rented accommodation as well as to owner-occupied residential property. The costs that are covered include “cold rent”, ancillary costs and heating costs. Recipients of ALG II must pay for electricity themselves (except for heating).

Rent costs must be appropriate for the size of the accommodation and the number of people living in it. The job center will assess whether the costs of your accommodation are reasonable and whether any relocation that might be necessary would be economical. But even if the costs are too high, you do not have to move into cheaper accommodation immediately. After a reasonable period of time, the job center will assess whether the amount of the payments needs to be adjusted.

Important: There are currently temporary simplifications for accessing social security benefits due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The rules of the simplified procedure apply to all new applications with an approval period lasting until December 31, 2022. The appropriateness of actual expenditure on accommodation and heating will not be assessed for a period of six months. You can find further information here.

Will you also receive help to furnish your new home?

Yes. Under certain circumstances, you can also receive one-time financial support from the job center to furnish your accommodation for the first time (for example, with furniture and household items). You must apply for this separately.

The conditions are:

• that you are in fact furnishing your accommodation for the first time. This means that the accommodation must be newly furnished, either because it did not have any furniture before or because the furnishings were largely destroyed. For example, after a house fire, if you used to be homeless, or you are establishing a household for the first time. More information is available from your job center.
• that you are either entitled to ALG II (i.e. you are able to work and are in need of assistance)
• or that, although you do not need any benefits to secure your livelihood (including the reasonable costs of accommodation and heating), you cannot fully cover the need for the initial equipment in accordance with sentence 1 from your own resources and means.

Once the aid for initial equipment has been approved, you will receive an allowance or vouchers for the most essential purchases, such as furniture, household appliances, pots and other items.

Note: Housing benefit

If you are entitled to housing benefit, you must apply for it before you apply for ALG II. Housing benefit is a priority social benefit. You can find out more about housing benefit here.

Even if you are working, you may need assistance. If your income is not enough to live on, you can supplement it with ALG II. The amount of money that you receive as ALG II will depend on your income level and any needs identified.

How will your ALG II be calculated if you have an income?

If you have an income from gainful employment, this is taken into account when calculating ALG II. However, there are allowances that are not counted. This means that, if you are working, you will have more money available than ALG II recipients who do not work. The allowances are calculated as follows:

• ALG II does not take into account the first 100 euro of income from gainful employment.
• If your gross income from gainful employment is between 100 and 1,000 euro, you will receive an additional allowance of 20 percent.

• If your gross income from gainful employment is between 1,000 and 1,200 euro (or 1,500 euro if you have a child who is a minor), you will receive an additional allowance of 10 percent.

What other income is included when calculating ALG II?

There are various benefits that are taken into account when assessing and calculating ALG II, for example social benefits such as child benefit and parental allowance. These are referred to as priority benefits and must be applied for first, before applying for ALG II. ALG II also takes into account one-time income. This includes Christmas bonuses, tax refunds and gifts, for example.

Are there any types of income that are not taken into account when calculating ALG II?

Yes. Some types of income are not taken into account when calculating ALG II. These include, for example, basic pensions under the Federal Pensions Act, the blind person’s allowance and the carer´s allowance for full-time care. Benefits to support upbringing in the context of the care of disabled children are governed by a special provision: 75 percent of benefits are not taken into account for the third child, and 100 percent for the fourth and each subsequent child.

If you have assets, you will have to use them to pay for your living costs before you are entitled to help through ALG II. Assets include, for example, cash, bank balances, shares, building loan contracts and life insurance. As with income, there are allowances for them. These allowances are intended to protect your savings for your retirement provision and your children’s assets. In this section, we will briefly present the most important allowances and limits.

How much money can you have and still apply for ALG II?

For assets of any kind, you have an allowance of up to 150 euro per year of life. The minimum allowance is 3,100 euro; the highest allowance – depending on age – can be up to 10,050 euro.

What about your children’s assets?

Children under the age of 18 are entitled to an allowance of 3,100 euro. This is also intended to protect insurance policies taken out to fund training. If your children have more assets, they are required to use them to cover only their own living costs, not those of their parents.

What about your existing retirement provision?

Company pension schemes (for example, direct insurance, pension fund), the basic pension (“Rürup pension”) and the state-supported pension scheme (“Riester pension”) and the income therefrom are not counted when calculating ALG II. If you have another pension plan, this asset is also exempt up to an amount of 750 euro per year of life. The maximum allowance for retirement provision is up to 50,250 euro, depending on age. However, this is on condition that you are not able to access the assets before retirement due to contractual provisions.

What about if you have a house or a condominium?

In principle, you can also receive ALG II if you own a house or a condominium and live in it yourself. It is important here that the size and the number of residents are judged to be reasonable. The following maximum values apply:

• 1- or 2-person household: Owner-occupied condominium with a living space of up to 80 m² or a home with a living space of up to 90 m²
• A further 20 m² is added for each additional person.
• The plot area must not exceed 500 m² in the city and 800 m² in the countryside.

In exceptional cases, larger living spaces and plot sizes may also be considered reasonable. You can get more information from your job center.

What about if you have a car?

As a recipient of ALG II, you are allowed to own a car or motorcycle. This applies to each member of the benefit community who is able to work. However, the value of the car or motorcycle must be reasonable. A limit of 7,500 euro per vehicle is considered reasonable. If it is worth more than this, the appropriateness is assessed taking into account the circumstances of the individual case (size of the benefit community, number of vehicles in the household, time of acquisition).

Are there additional allowances?

Yes. Each member of a benefit community is entitled to an allowance of 750 euro for necessary purchases. For example, to replace or repair broken household appliances or clothing. A family of two adults and two children therefore has a total allowance of 3,000 euro. Items that are important for a professional activity, education or training are also not counted, for example, a laptop.

If you receive ALG II, you must also fulfill certain obligations. These are known as duties to report and duties to cooperate. Here we briefly present the most important duties:

Duty to actively seek work – what does that mean?

The duty to actively seek work is one of the most important duties to cooperate. If you receive ALG II, you are fundamentally able to work. Therefore, you must prove that you are applying for employment, and, for example, present your applications. These are called job search efforts.

You will discuss with the staff at the job center what counts as job search efforts. A so-called assessment of potential is used to jointly determine your personal characteristics, skills and aptitudes, and the circumstances that make integration difficult. The discussion will be recorded in an integration agreement. This also sets out the measures that will be taken to help you find a job, for example, covering application costs or providing application training.

When looking for a job, one of your duties is that you may not simply reject a job offer. If you get the opportunity to start a job, you are obligated to take it.

As a recipient of ALG II, you must accept any work that is reasonable. Reasonable work is any job for which you are intellectually, psychologically and physically fit, and that does not violate labor law regulations. Personal factors such as family situation are also taken into account in determining whether a job is reasonable.

Duty to report – what does that mean?

As a recipient of ALG II, you are obligated to regularly report to the job center and to attend appointments. If you cannot be reached for a certain period of time, for example because you want to go on holiday, you must submit a request to the job center. This duty exists so that you are able to react quickly to possible job offers.

You must also inform the job center if your personal situation has changed. This means in situations such as the following:

• You have found a job or a side job
• You have received a one-time sum of money, for example from an inheritance or a tax refund
• You are planning to study
• You have gained the right to a pension
• You are in receipt of maternity benefit or other benefits
• You are temporarily or permanently unable to work
• Your address has changed
• Your marital status has changed

• There are changes to your household (benefit community)

Are you covered by health insurance if you receive ALG II?

All persons living in Germany must be registered with a statutory or private health insurance company to be covered in the event of illness or nursing care. This also applies to recipients of ALG II. As a rule, you will continue to be insured by your previous statutory health insurance provider. The job center pays the monthly premiums directly to the health insurance company. You can also submit an application for private health insurance to the job center. However, the amount of the co-payment is limited.

Are you exempt from co-payment for medications?

Many medicines and medical services and aids are not fully covered by health insurance, and insured persons must pay for some of the costs themselves; i.e. they must make an additional payment known as a co-payment. This also applies to recipients of ALG II. You are not exempt from co-payments.

To prevent expenditure on medicines or aids from becoming too great a financial burden, there is a limit on the amount of the total co-payments. This amounts to two percent of annual gross income (the “burden limit”). If the co-payments exceed this limit, you can ask the health insurance company to exempt you from further co-payments. This also applies to the costs of a hospital stay.

Children and young people up to 18 years of age do not have to make any co-payments.