Citizens' allowance or doing nothing?

Citizens' allowance or doing nothing?

In the current RTL-Zwei social report "Armes Germany", the life of citizens' money recipients Nico and Janine from Plau am See is illuminated. The two have been dependent on the support of the state for years and show an open aversion to regular work. Janine expresses: "I actually live for every day, let's see what's coming." Both feel no need in their everyday life to make a job. While Janine describes life without work as "chilling" and "sleeping when we want", Nico describes the financial support as "great privileges".

The episode of the report, in which you comment on your way of life, will be broadcast on RTL on May 6, 2025 at 8:15 p.m. However, it is emphasized that Nico and Janine are an exception among the citizens' fees; The majority of the beneficiaries strive to return to the labor market.

Citizens' allowance as a new basic security

Citizens' money has come into force since 2023 and is intended to replace unemployment benefit II, known as Hartz IV. The law is implemented in two steps: on January 1st and again on July 1st. The aim is to improve the general conditions for those in need of help and to support them in returning to the labor market. According to current data, 5.3 million people in Germany received basic security according to the SGB II.

The draft law, which was adopted with votes from the Union in November 2022, provides for numerous changes. From January 1, 2023, the control rates increase significantly:

improvements and incentives

The increases of the control rates correspond to about 10 percent and aligned with inflation. In addition, increased gentle assets are introduced as part of the civil allowance: assets are only taken into account from 40,000 euros, and for each additional person in the household, the allowance increases by 15,000 euros.

Another important aspect is the introduction of a further training allowance of 150 euros per month from July 1st. This should promote the opportunities for further professional training. In addition, a citizen benefit bonus of 75 euros per month is granted to support measures to take up long-term work. The care by the job center is intensified and a cooperation plan is created between job centers and beneficiaries.

Although the citizenship benefit has many improvements, sanctions for breaches of duty remain possible. A three -stage system is used. The political dispute over the citizens' benefit previously led to a compromise in the mediation committee on November 23.

However, the citizen benefit applies exclusively to those in need of help between 15 years and the standard age limit. Rather, people whose pension is not sufficient or who are not able to work receive basic security according to the twelfth book of the Social Code.

For many citizens' money recipients, the question arises as to how they perceive the new regulations and how they will affect their way of life. For Nico and Janine it remains important to keep the lifestyle that they have built up.