Leistungsminderung (Sanktion) – Bescheid vom Jobcenter

Jobcenter benefit cut (Leistungsminderung, Sanktion) for Bürgergeld / Grundsicherungsgeld

From: Your Jobcenter

A Leistungsminderung (often called Sanktion) means the Jobcenter lowers your standard rate (Regelbedarf) because it says you broke a duty. The letter is a decision with reasons and a start date. Since the 2026 reform, Bürgergeld is called Grundsicherungsgeld.

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Why you got this letter

You missed an appointment more than once (Meldeversäumnis).
You did not prove the job search efforts (Eigenbemühungen) the Jobcenter asked for.
You refused a reasonable job, a training, or a support measure, or you stopped one.
You did not start or you stopped an integration course or a job-related German course.
Other cases listed in § 31 SGB II, for example reducing your own income or assets on purpose to get benefits.

What to do

1Read the reason, the percentage, how long it lasts, and when it starts. Write down the date you received the letter.
2Check if the facts are right. Check if you had an important reason (for example illness) and can prove it. Send proof now if you have it.
3If you got an Anhörung (a letter asking for your comment) before this decision and did not answer, tell the Jobcenter now. The law says the Jobcenter should offer a personal hearing on request.
4File a Widerspruch within one month if you disagree (see the example letter). Do not wait. An objection does not pause the cut.
5Tell the Jobcenter if the lower amount puts you in a serious emergency. The law says there is no reduction if it would be an exceptional hardship in your individual case. Housing and heating costs cannot be cut by a Leistungsminderung.
6Ask whether the cut can end early now that you meet your duty. Get help from a free social counselling service if you can.

Deadline

One month to object, counted from the day the decision is considered delivered. The letter says how long the cut lasts.

If you do nothing

The cut stays in place and you get less money while it applies. For a missed appointment the federal government names 30 percent of the standard rate for one month. For other breaches, such as abandoning a measure or not applying for jobs, the federal government says the standard rate can be cut by 30 percent for each three-month period. If you do not object in time, the decision becomes final. In the most serious cases, such as refusing reasonable work, the standard rate can be withdrawn for a limited time. Check your own letter for exact figures.

Can you object?

Yes. File a Widerspruch within one month after the decision is considered delivered (post counts as delivered on the fourth day after posting). Send it to the Jobcenter that issued the decision, in writing or in person for the record. Under § 39 SGB II, an objection does not stop the cut while it is decided. If you cannot manage on the lower amount, tell the Jobcenter and ask a free counselling service about urgent options.

Words in this letter

Leistungsminderung: A cut in your benefit. In daily speech it is called Sanktion.
Pflichtverletzung: Breaking a duty, for example not proving job applications.
Meldeversäumnis: A missed appointment without an accepted important reason.
Anhörung: A chance to give your side before the decision.
Wichtiger Grund: An important reason that you state and prove.
Außergewöhnliche Härte: An exceptional hardship. If it applies, no cut is made.

Example reply

Object (Widerspruch) to a benefit cut. Send it within one month.

[Vor- und Nachname]
[Anschrift]
Kundennummer / BG-Nummer: [Nummer aus Ihrem Schreiben]

An: [Jobcenter, Adresse laut Bescheid]

[Ort], [Datum]

Betreff: Widerspruch gegen den Bescheid vom [Datum] (Leistungsminderung)

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

hiermit lege ich Widerspruch gegen Ihren Bescheid vom [Datum] ein.

Begründung: [zum Beispiel: Ich hatte für das Versäumnis am [Datum] einen wichtigen Grund, nämlich [Grund]. Einen Nachweis lege ich bei. / Ich habe die geforderten Nachweise am [Datum] eingereicht.]

Ich bitte um schriftliche Bestätigung des Eingangs und um erneute Prüfung.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
[Unterschrift]
[Vor- und Nachname]

Show English translation

[Full name]
[Address]
Customer number / household number: [number from your letter]

To: [Jobcenter, address as on the decision]

[Place], [date]

Subject: Objection to your decision dated [date] (benefit reduction)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hereby object to your decision dated [date].

Reasons: [for example: I had an important reason for the missed appointment on [date], namely [reason]. I attach proof. / I submitted the requested proof on [date].]

Please confirm receipt in writing and review the decision again.

Kind regards
[Signature]
[Full name]

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Questions people ask

How much can the Jobcenter cut?

The law text in § 31a and § 32 SGB II names 30 percent of the standard rate (Regelbedarf), and repeated breaches are capped at 30 percent in total (the most serious cases, such as refusing reasonable work, are treated differently). Housing and heating costs cannot be reduced by a Leistungsminderung. The federal government also describes a staged procedure that can end the benefit entirely after three missed appointments in a row. Your letter shows the exact amount.

Do I have to be warned first?

For breaches such as not proving job search efforts or refusing work, the law requires a written warning about the consequences (Rechtsfolgenbelehrung) or that you knew them. This is also required for repeated missed appointments.

Does my objection stop the cut?

No. Under § 39 SGB II, an objection against a decision that establishes a breach of duty and cuts the benefit has no suspensive effect. The cut applies while the objection is decided.

Do old missed appointments from before July 2026 count?

According to the Federal Employment Agency's instructions (version of 1 July 2026), missed appointments from before 1 July 2026 are judged under the old rules (§ 65a Abs. 2 SGB II). Missed appointments established up to 30 June 2026 do not count as earlier missed appointments under the new rules.

Sources

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.