Hartz IV: asset test, sanctions, additional earnings - that changes with the citizens' money

Created: 12/23/2021, 2:40 PM

By: Patricia Huber

The traffic light coalition would like to abolish Hartz IV and replace it with citizen money.

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The traffic light coalition would like to finally put an end to Hartz IV.

But what changes for recipients with the new citizen allowance?

An overview.

Berlin - The coalition agreement is signed.

This also seals the end of Hartz IV *.

The Ampel-Coalition would like to replace the controversial welfare with a so-called citizen's money.

The coalition agreement says literally: "Citizens' money should respect the dignity of the individual, enable them to participate in society and be digitally and easily accessible." But what does that mean in practice?

From Hartz IV to Bürgergeld: Housing and property check is suspended

In the case of Hartz IV recipients, the amount was dependent on the assets.

However, the examination and crediting of the assets will be suspended in the first two years of the citizen's allowance.

The same goes for checking the adequacy of the apartment.

The job center does not check whether the recipient's apartment is too big.

“Citizens' money focuses on the potential of people and aids in sustainable integration into the labor market and enables social participation,” says the contract between the SPD *, Greens * and FDP *.

The Bürgergeld therefore focuses on re-entering the world of work.

Therefore, the obligations to cooperate, which are still known from Hartz IV, remain.

However, these are to be legally reorganized by the end of 2022 at the latest.

But not only the obligations to cooperate remain, but also the controversial sanctions if these obligations are not fulfilled.

So if you do not keep appointments at the job center or refuse reasonable work, you have to expect cuts in money.

Here, too, the old rules apply for another year.

Citizens' money should create more incentives to work

In addition, the new government wants to focus not only on job placement, but also support further training for job seekers.

A “temporary bonus” should provide an incentive here.

The traffic light would also like to improve the opportunities for additional income.

So far, Hartz IV recipients were only allowed to earn 100 euros - at least without the amount being offset against their rate.

For earnings between 100 and 1,000 euros, only 20 percent were free of credit.

The aim of this new regulation is to "increase incentives for employment subject to social insurance contributions."

The coalition agreement does not contain any information on the amount of the citizens' allowance.

The Hartz IV standard rate * is currently 446 euros per month.

From 2022 the rate will increase by three euros.

Experts complain that this is far too little.