Social security: Heil: zero round of citizen’s benefit likely in 2026 too

According to Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil, recipients of citizens’ benefit will also have to accept a zero round in 2026 if inflation does not rise significantly again. “If inflation remains at the two percent that the European Central Bank has set itself, another zero round is quite likely,” said the SPD politician to the editorial network Germany (RND). Around 5.5 million people receive citizen’s benefit; this year there was already a zero round. At the beginning of 2024, however, it had risen by twelve percent.

Citizens’ money is also being fought over in the federal election campaign. The Union wants to abolish citizens’ money and replace it with a “new basic security”. The old traffic light cabinet had already introduced tightening measures, but they no longer became law. Heil picks up the thread again. “I was and am in favor of tightening up the sanctions,” he said. Politicians must ensure that no one sets themselves up to receive citizens’ money. “Anyone who doesn’t want to accept a reasonable job will face sanctions. Citizens’ money is not an unconditional basic income.”

However, the minister warned against placing citizens’ benefit recipients under general suspicion of a lack of willingness to perform. One in five recipients works, but is dependent on additional basic security due to low wages. “Germany is not a lazy country, the vast majority of people want to work and do so,” emphasized Heil.