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What does Jobcenter mean?

The Jobcenter pays money to live on to people who can work but do not have enough money. It also helps with finding work.

das Jobcenter · die Jobcenter (plural)

In letters, this benefit is called Bürgergeld or Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende. It usually also covers the costs of rent and heating.

The Jobcenter assesses everyone in your Bedarfsgemeinschaft (benefit unit) together, for example you, your partner and your children. If something changes, for example your income, you must report it immediately.

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

The Agentur für Arbeit is something different. It pays Arbeitslosengeld if you worked in insured employment before.

Example sentence

Das Jobcenter bittet Sie, die folgenden Unterlagen einzureichen.

The Jobcenter asks you to submit the following documents.

What you can do

Write your BG-Nummer on every letter to the Jobcenter. Ask for a confirmation when you hand in documents.

Calculate your deadline

  • BG-Nummer The BG-Nummer is the number of your Bedarfsgemeinschaft (household unit) at the Jobcenter.
  • Kundennummer The Kundennummer (customer number) is your number at an office or a company, for example at the Agentur für Arbeit.
  • Einladung With an Einladung (invitation), an office invites you to an appointment. At the Jobcenter and the Agentur für Arbeit, you must attend.
  • Weiterbewilligungsantrag With a Weiterbewilligungsantrag (continuation application), you apply for a benefit to keep being paid after its period ends.
  • Agentur für Arbeit The Agentur für Arbeit (employment agency) helps you find work and pays Arbeitslosengeld. It is often called Arbeitsagentur.
  • Mitwirkungspflicht If you apply for or receive social benefits, you have a Mitwirkungspflicht (duty to cooperate). You must help the office check your case.