Citizens’ allowance sanctions: These are the plans of the Ministry of Labour

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Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil has announced a freeze on all citizens’ allowance recipients for the coming year. This is evident from a draft bill from the ministry, which RTL/ntv and stern have seen. In addition, there are plans to tighten the cooperation obligations and sanctions for basic social security.

Citizens’ allowance: tougher sanctions planned

The ministry’s paper states that citizen’s allowance is not available without cooperation and that it is expected that “everyone does their part to get out of need”. To ensure this, the number of appointments at job centers is to be increased. In addition, a commute of up to three hours and relocation for a new job are considered reasonable. Given the shortage of skilled workers, citizen’s allowance cannot be paid to anyone who is urgently needed in the next district. And anyone who has no family obligations should also be prepared to move for a job.

In the future, sanctions will be tougher if cooperation is not observed. This means “clear and direct cuts” if deadlines are missed without good reason.

In addition, tougher measures against illegal work have been announced. In the future, benefits will be reduced by 30 percent for illegal work, and criminal consequences will also be imposed.

Start-up financing for the long-term unemployed

Anyone who has “significant assets” is also not entitled to citizen’s allowance. The protected assets, i.e. the assets that do not have to be used up to claim the benefits, remain at 15,000 euros per person. However, they will also be used after six months.

The motto is: “Work should always be worthwhile.” In order to make the transition from citizen’s allowance easier, start-up funding is to be introduced for the long-term unemployed, which will not be offset against other benefits such as housing or child benefit.