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Emergency

Jobcenter not covering the rent (in full)? Your rights

The Jobcenter covers your accommodation costs only partly or demands that you move into a cheaper flat? The 'cost of accommodation' (KdU) must be covered in an appropriate amount, and you do not have to move right away.

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Your chances of getting your money back

The Jobcenter covers accommodation costs in an appropriate amount (§ 22 SGB II). What is 'appropriate' follows local guideline values, which are often open to challenge if no coherent concept underlies them.
Even when the rent is too high, the actual costs must generally continue to be covered for a transitional period (often up to 6 months). You are not left alone with the costs from one day to the next.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the decision and the guideline value

    Which rent level does the Jobcenter consider appropriate? Is a comprehensible, coherent concept behind it? The values are often open to challenge.

  2. 2

    2. File an objection within the deadline

    File an objection within one month against the cut or the demand to move (§ 84 SGG).

  3. 3

    3. Explain the unreasonableness

    You should name concrete reasons against a move (health, children or school, lack of affordable housing, social ties).

  4. 4

    4. Collect evidence

    The tenancy agreement, ancillary costs, and, if searching for housing, proof of the lack of cheaper offers support your case.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to move if the Jobcenter considers the rent too high?

Not immediately. As a rule the actual costs continue to be covered for a transitional period (often up to six months). In addition, a move must be reasonable; health, children, or a lack of cheaper housing can speak against it.

How is the 'appropriate' rent determined?

Via local guideline values that must be based on a 'coherent concept'. If such a concept is missing or outdated, the values are open to challenge, which is a common starting point in an objection.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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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.