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Bürgergeld and side earnings: what is left of the pay?

Anyone who receives Bürgergeld and earns extra must have the income counted, but not fully. Certain allowances remain exempt, so that something is left of every euro earned. This is meant to make working pay off.

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From earned income, graduated allowances remain exempt from offsetting (§ 11b SGB II). A basic allowance and percentage allowances depending on the income level ensure that not the entire earnings are counted.
As a result, the available income increases with every hour worked. Certain deductible amounts, for example for insurance and work-related expenses, also reduce the income to be counted.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Report income

    Declare side earnings fully and in good time to the job center.

  2. 2

    2. Check allowances

    Check whether the earned-income allowances were correctly taken into account.

  3. 3

    3. Assert deductible amounts

    Assert insurance, work-related expenses, and the like.

  4. 4

    4. Check the notice

    Contest an incorrect offset with an objection.

How to spot the scam

  • Allowances are not taken into account in the notice.
  • Income is reported late and leads to reclaims.
  • Deductible amounts go unconsidered.

Frequently asked questions

Is my entire side income counted?

No. From earned income, graduated allowances remain exempt from offsetting (§ 11b SGB II): a basic allowance and additional percentage allowances depending on the income level. Only the remaining part reduces the Bürgergeld. So something is left of every euro earned.

Does working pay off despite the offset?

Yes. Thanks to the allowances, you have more available with earned income than with Bürgergeld alone. In addition, deductible amounts for insurance and work-related expenses further reduce the income to be counted. More work leads to more available money.

What happens if I do not report income?

Unreported income leads to reclaims and can be treated as an administrative offense or a criminal act. So always report earnings fully and in good time and keep pay slips so that the offset is done correctly.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.