What happens to my unemployment benefit if I miss an appointment in Germany?

Since July 1st, Germany’s primary long-term cash benefit for the unemployed, formally known as Bürgergeld or ‘Citizens’ Allowance’, was replaced by Grundsicherung or ‘Basic Income Support’.

Beyond the name change, the reformed benefit came with more sanctions for recipients who fail to show up for appointments with the Jobcenter, as well as sanctions for people who refuse “reasonable” job offers.

But the reform also effectively resets the count on missed appointments that may have occurred before the new rule took effect on July 1st, according to recent German media reports.

Here’s what recipients of the new Grundsicherung benefit need to know.

When exactly are benefits cut?

The new regulation provides for a different, and tighter, sanctions regime for people who fail to come to appointments at the Jobcenter without a valid reason (more on this below).

If you miss one appointment without a valid excuse, a warning letter is sent.

If you miss a second appointment, the Jobcenter can reduce your benefit payment by 30 percent for one month. If you are receiving benefits in full at the standard rate, currently set at €563, your monthly payment would be temporarily cut by €168.90.

If you miss a third appointment in a row without an excuse, your benefit payment is cancelled in its entirety for one month. However, if you also receive a housing benefit, the money toward your rent would still be paid to your landlord this month.

You would now be expected to get in contact with the Jobcenter. If you fail to do so within the next month, your support would be discontinued. But if you do get back in touch, and can present valid reasons for your absence(s), then your benefit payment can be made retroactively – minus the 30 percent reduction.

Additionally, you may be expected to accept certain opportunities for employment. If a job is available and considered reasonable, you may face a reduction in your payments if you choose not to accept it. 

READ ALSO: Germany’s Bürgergeld reform could increase homelessness

According to a report by broadcaster BR24, officials at Nuremberg Jobcenter say benefits may also be cut off in cases of “deliberate and demonstrable refusal to work”.

What’s a valid excuse?

There are five basic reasons that the authorities should consider valid for missing an appointment, according to information shared on Antrag-Verstehen.de, which is a German language website sharing information to help navigate unemployment benefits and the Jobcenter.

1. Acute illness
2. Having a job interview or trial work 
3. Care obligations and emergencies (such as for your child or close relative that you care for)
4. Appointments with other authorities or court appointments that cannot be postponed
5. Technical malfunctions during video appointments

Note that you may need some kind of proof to back up your claim. In the event of illness, for example, you would likely need to show a doctor’s note (eAU) which is valid during the date of your appointment.

For an interview you should ideally share the invitation to the interview with your case worker at the Jobcenter ahead of time. Similarly you would want to keep and share a court summons or invitation to another appointment in that case.

If your video appointment doesn’t work due to technical issues, you should take a photo or screenshot of any error message you receive as proof.

Blank slate

Because the new sanctions system works differently than the previous rules under Bürgergeld, recipients who may have missed appointments in the months leading up to the rule change have effectively started with a fresh slate, according to reports by Bild and other outlets.

Transitional rules around the benefit reform clarified that any appointments missed up until July 1st were sanctioned in accordance with the previous Bürgergeld rules. Previously, recipients were docked €56.30 for a month after missing an appointment.

From July 1st, any missed appointments at the Jobcenter will have been subject to the new rules under Grundsicherung, meaning that recipients would now be warned and then docked 30 percent of their benefit in the following month.

Due to the timing of the new regulation, the first 30 percent benefit cuts for people who had missed appointments without an excuse or had not communicated with Jobcenters, could be expected in September.

READ ALSO: How your eligibility for German citizenship can be affected by unemployment