Hartz IV: asset test, sanctions, additional income - that changes with the citizens' income
Created: 02/05/2022, 06:12
By: Patricia Huber
The traffic light coalition would like to abolish Hartz IV and replace it with citizen income.
© Imago Images
The traffic light coalition wants to finally put an end to Hartz IV.
But what changes for recipients with the new citizens' allowance?
An overview.
Berlin - The coalition agreement has been signed.
This also marks the end of Hartz IV*.
The traffic light coalition would like to replace the controversial social assistance with a so-called citizen money.
The coalition agreement states literally: "The basic income should respect the dignity of the individual, enable them to participate in society and be accessible digitally and easily." But what does that mean in practice?
From Hartz IV to citizen's income: apartment and asset checks are suspended
For Hartz IV recipients, the amount depended on their assets.
However, the examination and crediting of the assets is suspended in the first two years of receiving citizen benefit.
The same applies to checking the suitability of the apartment.
The job center does not check whether the recipient's apartment is too big.
"The citizen's income focuses on the potential of people and help for sustainable integration into the labor market and enables social participation," it also says in the contract between the SPD*, Greens* and FDP*.
Citizens' income therefore focuses on re-entering the world of work.
Therefore, the duties to cooperate, which are still known from Hartz IV, remain.
However, these are to be reorganized by law by the end of 2022 at the latest.
But not only the obligation to cooperate remains, but also the controversial sanctions if these obligations are not fulfilled.
So if you don't keep appointments at the job center or refuse reasonable work, you have to reckon with cuts in money.
Here, too, the old rules apply for another year.
Citizens' income should create more incentives to work
In addition, the new government wants to focus not only on job placement, but also support the further training of job seekers.
A “limited bonus” is intended to provide an incentive here.
The traffic light would also like to improve the additional income opportunities.
Previously, Hartz IV recipients were only allowed to earn an additional 100 euros – at least without the amount being counted towards their rate.
With earnings between 100 and 1,000 euros, only 20 percent were exempt.
The aim of this new regulation should be to “increase incentives for employment that is subject to social security contributions.”
There is no information in the coalition agreement 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.
That's far too little, criticize experts.
(ph) *Merkur.de
is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.