Aufforderung zur Mitwirkung (fehlende Unterlagen) – Jobcenter
Jobcenter letter asking for missing documents (Mitwirkung): what to do
From: Your Jobcenter
The Jobcenter needs more information or documents to decide on your benefit or to keep paying it. The letter lists what is missing and sets a deadline. The law says people who get benefits must help with this. This is called Mitwirkung.
Got this letter? Get your personal explanation.Take a photo. See your deadline, amount, and next steps, in your language. First letter free.Why you got this letter
- You made a new application or a renewal application.
- Something changed, for example your income, your household, or your rent.
- A document you sent was unclear, incomplete, or missing.
- A routine check of your situation.
What to do
- 1Read the letter and make a list of every item it asks for. Write down the deadline.
- 2Collect the documents. Send copies and keep the originals.
- 3Send them the way the letter says (online upload, post, or in person). Keep proof that you sent them, for example an upload confirmation or a stamped copy.
- 4If you cannot get something in time, write before the deadline. Say what is missing and why, send what you already have, and ask for more time.
- 5If you do not understand what they want, ask the Jobcenter in writing or in person. Keep notes of who you talked to.
- 6Keep copies of everything you send.
Deadline
The deadline in the letter. The law says the Jobcenter must set a reasonable deadline before it can refuse or withdraw benefits.
If you do nothing
If you do not help and this makes it much harder for the Jobcenter to check the facts, it can refuse or withdraw your benefit, fully or partly, without further checks (§ 66 SGB I). It may do this only after it warned you in writing about this consequence and set a reasonable deadline. This applies only until you do what is needed. So send what you can, even if you are late, and talk to the Jobcenter.
Can you object?
Check the end of the letter for a Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung (information about how to object). It says if and how you can object. If the Jobcenter later refuses or stops payment in a written decision, you can file a Widerspruch within one month after it is considered delivered (post counts as delivered on the fourth day after posting). Under § 39 SGB II, an objection does not automatically pause decisions that cancel or reduce benefits.
Words in this letter
- Mitwirkung
- Your duty to help the authority, for example by giving facts and documents.
- Unterlagen / Nachweise
- Documents and proof, for example bank statements or contracts.
- Frist
- The deadline to send the documents.
- Versagung / Entziehung
- The authority refuses (Versagung) or withdraws (Entziehung) a benefit.
- Kooperationsplan
- A plan with individual support offers and agreed duties.
Example reply
Send some documents and ask for more time for the rest.
Betreff: Ihr Schreiben vom [Datum] – Nachreichen von Unterlagen
Kundennummer / BG-Nummer: [Nummer aus Ihrem Schreiben]
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
mit Schreiben vom [Datum] haben Sie mich gebeten, bis zum [Frist] folgende Unterlagen einzureichen: [Liste].
Anbei erhalten Sie: [Liste der beigefügten Unterlagen].
Die folgenden Unterlagen kann ich bis zum genannten Termin noch nicht vorlegen: [Dokument], weil [Grund]. Ich bitte um Fristverlängerung bis zum [Datum].
Bitte bestätigen Sie mir den Eingang meiner Unterlagen.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[Vor- und Nachname]
[Anschrift]Show English translation
Subject: Your letter dated [date] – submitting documents Customer number / household number: [number from your letter] Dear Sir or Madam, In your letter dated [date] you asked me to send the following documents by [deadline]: [list]. Enclosed you will find: [list of enclosed documents]. I cannot yet provide the following documents by that date: [document], because [reason]. I ask for an extension until [date]. Please confirm that you received my documents. Kind regards [Full name] [Address]
Questions people ask
What happens if I miss the deadline by a few days?
The law only allows the Jobcenter to refuse or withdraw benefits after a written warning and a reasonable deadline. This applies only until you do what is needed. Send the documents as soon as you can and, if possible, tell the Jobcenter why you are late.
What if I do not have a document?
Write to the Jobcenter before the deadline. Explain what is missing and why, and say what you are doing to get it. Send everything else you have.
Must I send originals?
The law does not say this in the sources checked here. Send copies if you can and keep the originals. Follow what your letter says.
What are my general duties?
Under § 60 SGB I, people who apply for or receive benefits must give all facts that matter, report changes without delay, and name or hand over proof when asked.
Sources
- § 60 SGB I (Angabe von Tatsachen)
- § 66 SGB I (Folgen fehlender Mitwirkung)
- § 39 SGB II (Sofortige Vollziehbarkeit)
- Bundesregierung: Neue Grundsicherung
Updated 2026-10-20. This page explains a common type of letter; it is not legal advice. Your letter may differ, so check its dates and amounts.