More appeals against citizens' allowance notices in Saxony

In the past year, more people in Saxony have objected to their citizen's allowance notification. The job centers in the state received 35,626 objections, according to the regional directorate of the Federal Employment Agency. This was almost 4,300 more than in 2024. 3,762 complaints were also filed - around 300 more than in the previous year.

Less appeals in the long term

Looking at the longer-term trend, however, a significant decline can be observed: in 2015, the job centers recorded almost 62,000 appeals and around 13,000 complaints against the then unemployment benefit II. Last year, the most frequent complaints were about decisions to offset income or assets, the calculation of accommodation costs and the revocation and reimbursement of citizens' allowance.

11,000 decisions adjusted following appeals

Of the approximately 34,000 appeals processed last year, around 11,000 were reportedly successful. In almost two thirds of the cases, a new decision could only be made in the appeal because missing documents were subsequently submitted or obligations to cooperate were fulfilled. There were around 2,000 cases of incorrect application of the law. 61.5 percent of cases were rejected or withdrawn by the beneficiaries themselves.

The picture is similar for the 3,971 settled complaints. In two thirds of cases, the Jobcenter's actions were confirmed, while in the remaining third, the complaints led to a new decision.

About 180,000 Saxons receive citizen's allowance

The citizen's allowance was introduced in 2023. It replaced unemployment benefit II, colloquially known as Hartz IV, as basic security for jobseekers. According to the latest data from the Federal Employment Agency, around 180,000 people in Saxony received citizen's allowance last September.

The black-red federal government is currently planning a reform of the social benefit, which is due to come into force in July. The draft bill by Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas (SPD) envisages renaming the citizen's allowance to basic security. Recipients are threatened with increased benefit cuts if they miss appointments at the job center or do not attend courses or job offers.