In future, the focus will once again be more on getting people into work quickly. At the same time, obligations to cooperate will become more binding, benefit claims will be checked more strictly and abuse will be combated more consistently. For job centers, this means that many processes and procedures will have to be adapted.
First interview directly after application
In future, job placement is to take precedence over longer training or support measures - provided this makes sense in individual cases. There should also be an initial interview immediately after the application is submitted. This will clarify what opportunities there are on the job market, what obstacles exist and what support is required.
The rules are also changing for parents: In future, taking up work will be considered reasonable earlier if childcare is secured. "The priority of placement does not mean standard solutions, but individual decisions with a view to sustainable integration," explained Stöhr.
More commitment in the integration process
The so-called cooperation plan - i.e. the agreement between the job center and benefit recipients - will be made clearer and more binding. If no agreement is reached, decisions can be made more quickly in future as there will no longer be a conciliation procedure.
This means more commitment, but also more documentation work for the job centers.
Stricter rules for breaches of duty
In the event of breaches of duty, the standard requirement will normally be reduced by 30 percent for three months. Missed appointments will also be sanctioned more consistently than before.
There is also a new rule on unavailability: anyone who repeatedly fails to respond to messages or invitations from the job center without good reason must expect their benefits to be affected. For the job centers, this increases the effort required to carefully examine the circumstances and make legally sound decisions.
Changes to assets and housing costs
The previous waiting period for assets no longer applies. This means that realizable assets will be taken into account from the outset.
Housing costs will also be looked at more closely. If these are above the specified limits, they can be reduced earlier in future. "It will therefore be even more important to clearly define which housing costs are considered reasonable," said Stöhr.
Cooperation with other authorities to be improved
Another aim of the reform is to better prevent abuse of benefits. To this end, the obligations to cooperate and provide information will be extended. This applies to both the benefit recipients themselves and third parties such as employers or landlords.
Cooperation with other authorities is also to be improved in order to uncover organized abuse more quickly. Employers will also be held more accountable.
The reform does not fundamentally change the system, but sets new priorities. Existing rules will be applied more strictly and consistently. For the job centers, this means a greater focus on job placement - but also more checking, control and organization.
"The exact impact of the changes on everyday life will only become clear once the new basic income support system has been introduced," concludes the head of the Ludwigsburg job center.
