Tölzer job center boss: Despite Corona, the number of Hartz IV recipients rose only moderately

The fears were and are great that the corona lockdowns will drive many companies into bankruptcy, that employees will lose their jobs and slip en masse into Hartz IV.

Compared to these scenarios, the annual balance sheet of the Tölz job center boss Andreas Baumann turns out to be very light.

Mr. Baumann, has Corona increased the number of Hartz IV recipients in the district?

Andreas Baumann:

Not as one thought.

It was thought that the numbers would increase tremendously.

But we stayed roughly on the same level.

The number of benefit communities complained at the beginning of 2020 at 1408, in November - the most recent figures I have - at 1486. ​​The number of unemployed people we look after according to Social Code II has risen by around 100.

Does that mean that the outbreak of the Corona crisis has not made itself so noticeable in the job center?

Andreas Baumann:

Yes.

The number of new applications per month is usually around 80. In April there were suddenly 280, in May 209.

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Andreas Baumann, Managing Director Job Center Tölz

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Have so many people slipped into Hartz IV at once?

Andreas Baumann:

Many people submitted an application, but in the end they were not entitled to benefits.

At this point in time, a so-called simplified application was introduced, which should lower the inhibition threshold to apply for Hartz IV.

In addition, the asset limit has been raised significantly.

For example, a single person could keep up to 60,000 euros.

You thought of the people who previously worked normally.

Because of Corona, you shouldn't suddenly be left with no money or immediately forced to go to your savings.

In addition, there are no longer any upper rent limits.

In any case, entitled persons get their rent paid.

Nobody should be on the street at once.

However, this is limited to March 31, 2021.

These measures were very important for social peace.

But in fact, despite the flood of applications, didn't so many people fall into Hartz IV?

Andreas Baumann:

Of course there were, but not nearly as many.

Many self-employed people or people who went on short-time work applied for Hartz IV as a precaution, sometimes as an increase, because they were worried that the money would no longer be enough for them to live.

In many cases, however, it didn't turn out that bad.

How did it go in the following months?

Andreas Baumann:

In June we still had 97 new applications, in July 75, in September there were again 100. And at the end of the year there were more with “Lockdown light” and Lockdown, that was immediately apparent.

In December there were 150.

Why is it that the bottom line is that there haven't been so many more Hartz IV recipients?

Andreas Baumann:

A lot could be made up for with short-time work benefits.

So the year went relatively well for the job center, but far from it for the employment agency.

When you consider that there are three million short-time workers across Germany ...

The short-time work allowance "catches the majority of the people"

Do you think the big end will come this year?

Andreas Baumann:

I tend not to think that this is so reflected in our job center.

The short-time work allowance has been extended, which covers the majority of the people.

But to be honest, I can't say how the bankruptcies will continue.

If there is a big wave of bankruptcies it could get tough.

In the catering and hotel industries in particular, many work in the low-wage sector.

Then the unemployment benefit is not enough and those affected may have to top up.

How are you planning for 2021?

Andreas Baumann:

Of course, nobody knows how the Corona will continue.

However, we currently expect that there will not be significantly more communities of need than before.

I have planned an annual average of 1,600 benefit communities, which would be slightly more than the average for 2020. But I assume that the number will be closer to 1,500.

You have to make a plan so that the district can also put a certain amount in the budget for the rental costs that it pays.

I have the hope that when the pubs and shops open again, things will really go forward in the summer and the economy will explode.

Placement in jobs "works surprisingly well"

Can the job center still find people in work under the current conditions?

Andreas Baumann:

Yes, it works surprisingly well.

In 2020, 1194 people in the district "left" us, and 1250 joined them.

You can see that the envelope still works.

522 of them have started work.

That is 27.7 percent of employable benefit recipients.

We did not reach our mediation target of 37 percent, but we are glad that it went so well at all.

Was it possible for job center customers to be looked after personally?

Andreas Baumann:

In the beginning there were only phone calls, we couldn't invite anyone to our place.

Then we set up two of our own interview rooms, with seats 1.50 meters apart and a plexiglass pane in between, equipped with disinfectant and continuously ventilated.

Access is possible from outside, so that customers did not have to walk through the office corridors.

In the meantime, thanks to the installation of new doors, there are even four rooms, but we cannot currently use them again.

What is your overall balance for 2020?

Andreas Baumann:

It started badly and you thought the world was going to end.

But much has normalized over time.

Looking back, I said to my colleague on New Year's Eve: “It wasn't that bad in the end.” And that's the spirit I am going into the New Year.

You can find an overview of the corona development in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district here.

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