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What does Bürgergeld mean?

Bürgergeld (citizen's income) was the Jobcenter's money for people who can work but lack enough to live on. It had this name until June 2026.

das Bürgergeld

Since 1 July 2026, the benefit is called Grundsicherungsgeld (basic income support). Older letters, and sometimes new ones, still say Bürgergeld. In the law, this area is called Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende. Some letters use this name too.

The benefit usually consists of the Regelbedarf (standard rate) for daily life and the costs of rent and heating.

People who get this benefit must cooperate, for example attend appointments and report changes. Otherwise the Jobcenter can reduce the benefit. Since July 2026, the rules for this are stricter.

You can file a Widerspruch against a Bescheid. The deadline is in the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung.

Example sentence

Ihnen wird Bürgergeld für die Zeit vom 01.01.2026 bis 30.06.2026 bewilligt.

You are granted Bürgergeld for the period from 01.01.2026 to 30.06.2026.

What you can do

The rules for this benefit keep changing. Check every new Bescheid carefully.

Calculate your deadline

  • Jobcenter The Jobcenter pays money to live on to people who can work but do not have enough money. It also helps with finding work.
  • Grundsicherung Grundsicherung (basic income support) is money to live on if your own income is not enough. The word stands for two different benefits.
  • Regelbedarf The Regelbedarf (standard rate) is the fixed amount for daily life, for example for food, clothes and electricity. It is also called Regelsatz.
  • Kosten der Unterkunft Kosten der Unterkunft, KdU for short, are rent, service charges and heating. The Jobcenter and the Sozialamt pay them if they are reasonable.
  • Bedarfsgemeinschaft The Bedarfsgemeinschaft (benefit unit) is the people the Jobcenter assesses together, for example couples and their children.