Moving with Bürgergeld: How the Jobcenter Covers the Costs

Are you a Bürgergeld recipient looking to move into a new apartment? The Jobcenter is your point of contact for housing and relocation. It can cover the costs of your move if you have valid reasons and submit an application in time.

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‍Key points at a glance:

• The Jobcenter's decision on covering moving costs depends on the necessity of the move.
• It is important to obtain prior approval for the move before signing contracts or making payments.
• Generally, only self-organized moves are funded. The costs for professional moving companies are only covered by the Jobcenter in exceptional cases.

Bürgergeld: Jobcenter Requirements for Relocations

As a recipient of Bürgergeld from the Jobcenter, you generally have the same right as anyone else to move into a different apartment – no one can forbid you from doing so. However, when it comes to housing and relocation, you should adhere to certain guidelines, as non-compliance can lead to benefit reductions. The following points should be observed:

• The costs for your new apartment must be reasonable, similar to your current situation.
• You should inform the Jobcenter of your new address and re-register accordingly to remain reachable. Pre-printed forms are available for this purpose.

Approval for a move depends on various factors, and the exact procedures vary by Jobcenter. To get more information and find out about the relevant contacts, it is advisable to first get in touch with your current Jobcenter. If you move to a different city, a different Jobcenter will be your point of contact. Therefore, it is crucial to inform your current Jobcenter about your move in good time. They will inform you which Jobcenter will be responsible for you in the future and what steps you need to take next.

What are the consequences of moving without Jobcenter approval?

If the Jobcenter is not informed, there is a risk that potential additional costs will not be covered, and you will have to pay a portion of the potentially higher rent yourself from your standard allowance.

Furthermore, if you move without Jobcenter approval, you will lose your entitlement to financial support in the following ways:

• Relocation cost coverage is no longer provided.
• No loan will be granted for the rental deposit.
• Further benefits may be reduced depending on the individual case.

The question you're probably asking yourself is, will my move be paid for by the Jobcenter?

Not in all cases, but with these reasons, you at least have a good chance of receiving a grant from the office:

• If your current residence is too far from your workplace and moving would result in a shorter commute, you could apply for a grant.
• If you have to move for professional reasons, for example, because you are starting a new job or being transferred, you could receive support.
• If your current living situation is unacceptable, for example, due to mold, dampness, or other defects, the Jobcenter might consider providing financial assistance for the move.
• In certain cases, such as family changes like the birth of a child or caring for a relative, you could apply for a grant for the move.

Citizen's Income and Moving: Which Costs Are Covered?

The Jobcenter can, under certain conditions, cover various costs associated with a move. Here are some items that may be paid for:

1. Moving Transport: The costs for transporting household goods, including a rental vehicle or a moving company, can be covered by the Jobcenter.
2. Renovation Costs: If renovation work is required in the old or new apartment to make it habitable, the costs for this can, under certain circumstances, be covered by the Jobcenter.
3. Rental Deposit: The Jobcenter can grant a rental deposit as an interest-free loan to facilitate the move into a new apartment.
4. Real Estate Agent Fees: If the involvement of a real estate agent is necessary to find a suitable apartment, the resulting fees can, under certain circumstances, be covered by the Jobcenter.

It is important to note that the exact coverage of relocation costs depends on individual circumstances and the Jobcenter's guidelines. It is advisable to contact the Jobcenter early on to clarify the specific conditions and required documentation for cost coverage.

Initial Furnishing

As a recipient of Bürgergeld benefits, you are entitled to a one-time initial furnishing for your home, including household appliances. These include, among others:

• Necessary furniture: Sleeping arrangements, storage (wardrobe, chest of drawers, etc.), dining table, chairs, shelves, desk, sofa.
• Technical Devices: Refrigerator, stove, washing machine, lamps, television, computer, small appliances (iron, kettle, coffee machine, toaster, etc.).
• Other Household Items: Bed linen, towels, cutlery, plates, glasses, pots, pans, trash can, curtains, cleaning tools, shower curtain.

The prerequisite is that you either do not own these items or they are no longer usable – purely aesthetic reasons are not sufficient.

If there are shared appliances in your new apartment, such as a washing machine in the basement, the Jobcenter will ask you to use them.

The exact costs that will be covered must be agreed upon with your case worker.

Instead of cash, vouchers for furniture stores and social department stores are often issued. The Jobcenter will also support the purchase of used items within a reasonable scope.

How much financial support does the Jobcenter provide for my move?

For certain expenses, you must submit cost estimates (e.g., moving companies, vans). Other costs are paid as flat rates (e.g., catering for moving helpers, renovation costs).

The amount of the flat rates also varies depending on the size of the apartment, and there are regional differences.

For example, the flat rate for moving helpers is between 15 and 60 Euros per person. A common value is usually 25 Euros each for a maximum of four people.

If the paid flat rate is not sufficient, for example, if major renovation work is required, you can try to apply for a higher amount with well-founded arguments.

A maximum of 4,600 Euros will be reimbursed for the entire move – for international moves, the maximum limit is 5,500 Euros. However, these sums are rather the exception. Realistic amounts are between 400 and 1,600 Euros.

Housing and moving as a Bürgergeld recipient: What are considered reasonable costs?

The reasonableness of rent and utility costs for an apartment is an important factor considered by the Jobcenter. The costs must not be excessively high. What is considered reasonable is determined by the number of people in the household. Based on local rental prices, the Jobcenter sets rent cost limits for one-, two-, or multi-person households.

The size of the apartment also plays a crucial role. For example, up to 60 m² is considered appropriate for two people, with an additional 15 m² added for each subsequent person.

In practice, however, the Jobcenter usually focuses primarily on the rent amount. As long as the rent is within the set limits, the apartment is generally accepted even if it is slightly larger.

Which moving reasons does the Jobcenter generally not accept?

The following moving reasons are usually rejected by the Jobcenter:

• Starting a temporary employment, mini-jobs, internships, or part-time work with less than 29 hours per week.
• The mere prospect of a job or a potential improvement in employment opportunities.
• Moving out of the parental home before the age of 25, except when starting an apprenticeship in another city or municipality, and in cases of serious reasons that make continued cohabitation with parents unreasonable (e.g., domestic violence).
• Family reunification.
• Minor rental defects that do not impair the habitability of the apartment.

Ultimately, the decision on whether a move is deemed necessary or not lies with your case worker.

It is still advisable to simply ask, even if none of the stated reasons fully apply.

If the new apartment is cheaper than your current one, you already have a good advantage on your side.

Applying for a move at the Jobcenter: Required forms and justification

Before signing the rental agreement, recipients of citizen's benefit must contact the Jobcenter to apply for coverage of moving costs!

For the Jobcenter to decide on moving cost assistance, they require the following information from you, ideally with corresponding documentation:

• Reason for the move
• Address of the new apartment
• Rent and utility costs
• Self-organization of the move with family and friends or need for a moving company? In the latter case, the Jobcenter will request two to three quotes from different companies.
• Additional costs

It is advisable to collect this information before submitting your application to the Jobcenter to ensure faster processing.

The Jobcenter will provide you with the necessary forms for the application to cover moving costs. Your assigned case worker can also inform you whether an informal application is sufficient. In some cases, the forms are also available for download on the Jobcenter's websites.

As a rule, Jobcenters reimburse housing and moving costs up to a certain amount or set flat rates. Nevertheless, you must be able to prove the actual costs.

Conclusion

It's important to be aware that every situation is individual, and the exact guidelines can vary from one Jobcenter to another. Nevertheless, you shouldn't hesitate to contact your Jobcenter and inquire about the specific conditions.

Moving can be a big change and a challenge, but with the right preparation and communication with the Jobcenter, you can receive financial support to help ease the process. Don't forget to provide the necessary documentation and information to increase your chances of having your costs covered.

We wish you much success with your move and hope that this blog post has helped you get a good start in your new home. Remember that changes can sometimes be a challenge, but they also offer opportunities for new beginnings and a fresh chapter in your life. Transporo can assist you with your move, contact us! Good luck!

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