Citizens’ benefit: BAS: Hard course against abuse of social benefits

The new Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Bärbel Bas has promised a tough approach to the abuse of social benefits. “For me, a big topic is the fight against social service fraud,” the SPD politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “Cover basic security and work black – I will really go in there.”

This not only affects the beneficiaries, said BAS. “We also have to punish the companies that allow this to be harder. It cannot be that part of the remuneration is covered with social benefits.”

The minister also wants to check the existing sanctions. “Those who can work have to do it too,” she said. “We will look at the instruments – and the sanctions will be raised when this is displayed.” Anyone who receives a social benefit has the obligation to participate. “That is a question of justice.”

Deletion of social benefits?

However, BAS rejects a complete deletion. “In extreme cases, it is already possible to completely delete the money,” she said. “But if you also call for a complete deletion of housing costs, you fail to recognize the situation. The subsistence level must be secured – the courts say.” Above all, it is necessary that sanctions “grip faster and are clearer”.

In their coalition agreement, the Union and the SPD had agreed to redesign the previous citizen benefit into a new basic security for those seeking employees. Placement in work should have priority in work capable of work. The elimination of mediation hurdles is planned. Duty to cooperate and sanctions should be exacerbated in the sense of the principle.

This does not mean that the cash benefit will be abolished, BAS said. “There will always be a basic security – even if it is no longer called Citizens’ Afar.”