German Jobcenter Sets Limits on Partner Documentation for Bürgergeld

The Federal Social Court clarified that under § 60 Abs. 4 SGB II a Jobcenter may only request information from the partner of a Bürgergeld recipient and cannot compel the partner to provide proof such as bank statements. Regional courts in North‑Rhine Westphalia, Saxony‑Anhalt and Schleswig‑Holstein upheld this interpretation, while forthcoming legislation aims to create a statutory basis for any future evidence‑request requirement.

Jobcenters may also reclaim previously paid Bürgergeld when the amount to be recovered exceeds € 50. Repayment is triggered by fluctuating income, receipt of double benefits, breaches of residency obligations, or false or incomplete declarations. Claims below the € 50 “bagatelle” threshold are waived to reduce administrative costs.