Jobcenter · one month after notification

Decision from the Jobcenter: calculate the objection deadline and understand it

The Jobcenter decides on Bürgergeld: grant, change, cancellation or repayment.

How to recognise the letter

The sender is the Jobcenter; your BG number (household number) and a date are at the top.
Typical: grant, change, cancellation or repayment decision.
At the end, the instructions on legal remedies: objection within one month.

Which deadline applies?

Objection (Widerspruch): one month after notification (§ 84 Abs. 1 S. 1 SGG). If the end falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline ends on the next working day (§ 64 Abs. 3 SGG). The calculator on this page works out the exact day – step by step.

Without or with incorrect instructions on legal remedies: one year (§ 66 Abs. 2 SGG).

What happens if you do nothing?

Once the objection period has passed, the decision becomes final; a cut or repayment then applies.

Your options

Send missing documents
Object (Widerspruch) – reasons can follow later
Request access to the file
Advice: unemployment advice centre, VdK, SoVD

Who can help?

Unemployment advice centre, VdK, SoVD

Terms in this letter

AkteneinsichtYour right to see the authority's documents on your case.AnhörungThe chance to comment before the authority decides.BekanntgabeThe day a decision counts as having reached you.BescheidA binding decision by an authority about your case.BestandskraftA decision is final because nobody objected in time.MitwirkungThe duty to submit documents the authority needs for your benefit.RechtsbehelfsbelehrungThe paragraph at the end of a decision telling you how and by when you can challenge it.WiderspruchYour objection to a decision, e.g. from the Jobcenter or health insurer.

Frequently asked questions

Is every letter from the Jobcenter a decision?

No. Invitations, hearings or requests for documents are not decisions; they often have their own deadline in the text. A decision has instructions on legal remedies.

What if the instructions on legal remedies are missing?

Then one year applies instead of one month (§ 66 Abs. 2 SGG). Still, better rely on the shorter deadline.

How much time do I have?

One month after notification (§ 84 Abs. 1 S. 1 SGG). If the end falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline ends on the next working day (§ 64 Abs. 3 SGG). The calculator above shows the exact day with every step.

Who can help me?

Unemployment advice centre, VdK, SoVD.

General information, not legal advice. Whether this decision is correct and what is right in your case is for an advice centre or a lawyer to say. Laws link to the official German text at gesetze-im-internet.de.