Who is eligible for unemployment benefits in Germany?
As the name suggests, anyone who is registered as unemployed receives
unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld). People who work fewer than fifteen hours a week count as unemployed. A basic requirement for receiving this government support, however, is that the employee has paid contributions into unemployment insurance for at least twelve months before becoming unemployed.
Where and when do you have to register as unemployed?
Anyone who is about to become unemployed and wants to apply for government support shouldn't lose any time. Once you know that unemployment is looming or has already begun, your first stop is your local Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit). It used to be known as the "Arbeitsamt." The application must be filed in person at the Agentur für Arbeit. Reacting promptly makes sure you receive your government support for the longest possible period. This entitlement lasts until you've found new work. The second option would be to fall back on other state safety nets.
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Registering as unemployed[/caption]
How much money do I receive as an unemployed person?
The amount is generally based on your average monthly gross wage over the last twelve months of your employment. The sum usually ranges between sixty and sixty-seven percent of your average monthly gross wage. There are numerous calculators on the internet that let you work out your unemployment benefits in advance.
What else should you keep in mind?
If the unemployed person is at least partly to blame for their unemployment, for example through negative behavior at work or by quitting on their own, a so-called blocking period (Sperrzeit) kicks in during which no money is paid. This can last up to 12 weeks. Cooperation with the Agentur für Arbeit is extremely important, especially while you're receiving government support. If you neglect this duty to report, the Agentur für Arbeit may impose a blocking period during which no government support is paid. Turning down reasonable work, a further training measure funded by the Agentur für Arbeit, or refusing to actively look for new work by providing proof of applications can trigger such blocking periods.
An advance payment?
In the case of unemployment, there's usually no large financial cushion. And everyday bills, as we know, keep coming in. That's why some unemployed people may wonder whether they can receive an advance on the government support they expect. And yes, the possibility of an advance does actually exist. What matters in this context is that it's already clear when your application is reviewed that you will receive a benefit.
