Jobcenter letter explained in English
Jobcenter. Pays citizen’s income (Bürgergeld) to people who can work but don’t earn enough to live on.
Letters you may get
- Einladung zum Meldetermin — a required appointment
- Bewilligungsbescheid — how much Bürgergeld you get
- Aufforderung zur Mitwirkung — they need documents from you
- Aufhebungs- und Erstattungsbescheid — they want money back
What to do
- Missing an appointment without a good reason can reduce your money. If you are ill, send a doctor’s note.
- Always write your BG-Nummer on what you send them, and keep copies.
- Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Einspruch”, “Widerspruch”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Bescheid
- Official decision. It becomes final if you don’t object in time.
- Erstattung
- Refund — or, in some letters, a demand that you pay money back. Check who pays whom.
- Forderung
- Claim. Money someone says you owe.
- Mitwirkungspflicht
- Your duty to help, for example by sending documents. If you don’t, they can stop payments.
- Bewilligung
- Approval.
- Meldetermin
- Required appointment at the Jobcenter or employment agency.
Questions
What is the Jobcenter?
Jobcenter. Pays citizen’s income (Bürgergeld) to people who can work but don’t earn enough to live on.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Jobcenter?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb” — they mark the deadline. In Germany, a posted official letter usually counts as delivered on the 4th day after it was sent. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Einspruch”, “Widerspruch”).
Can I read a Jobcenter letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Germany
Finanzamt · Hauptzollamt · Agentur für Arbeit · Ausländerbehörde · Bürgeramt · ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice · Krankenkasse · Familienkasse