Basic income support, social assistance and Jobcenter
Problems may arise, for example, if after a move the actual rent is not fully recognized or individual housing and heating costs are disregarded. The treatment of income or a benefit award that appears too low may also require legal review.
Depending on the stage of the proceedings, an objection and court action before the Social Court may be available against adverse or incorrect decisions. In urgent cases, it may also be necessary to examine whether interim judicial relief is required.
We also handle social-law cases with an EU-law and free-movement dimension, for example where residence or free-movement status affects whether and to what extent social benefits may be claimed.
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1 Jobcenter – incorrect decision or benefits too low? Benefit calculation, treatment of income and incorrect decisions
Jobcenter decisions can involve different calculation issues. In particular, it must be examined whether income has been taken into account correctly, whether all relevant needs have been included and whether the overall amount of benefit has been calculated in a comprehensible way.
Repayment or reimbursement decisions can also be reviewed. The specific decision, the underlying facts and the calculation bases stated in the decision are decisive.
2 Housing and heating costs Rent, ancillary costs, moving home and housing costs not fully recognized
Housing and heating costs are a frequent source of dispute. Problems may arise in particular after a move if the actual rent or individual ancillary costs are not fully recognized.
We examine which costs have been taken into account in the individual case, the authority's reasons and whether the decision should be challenged.
3 Basic income support and social assistance Benefits securing a livelihood and decisions by the social welfare authority
Basic income support and social assistance cases may concern the conditions for entitlement, the amount of benefits awarded or the treatment of income and assets.
The person's individual and financial circumstances are decisive. We review the authority's decision on the basis of the available documents and the specific notice.
4 Objection, court action and urgent proceedings Legal protection against incorrect or adverse decisions
Depending on the stage of the proceedings, an objection or court action before the Social Court may be available against an incorrect or adverse decision. The deadlines stated in the decision must in particular be observed.
If benefits are urgently needed and a decision in the ordinary proceedings cannot be awaited, it must also be examined whether interim judicial relief is required.
5 Social benefits and EU free movement law Where residence status and social benefit law overlap
For EU citizens and their family members, social benefit claims may be directly linked to questions of EU free movement and residence law.
In such cases, it must be examined which residence or free-movement status applies and what effect this has on the social benefit claim being asserted.
Social Law in Dortmund and the Ruhr Area
We represent clients from Dortmund and the surrounding area, including Bochum, Essen, Hagen, Lünen and Unna, in dealings with Jobcenters, social welfare authorities and before the Social Courts. If you have received a decision, please send it to us as completely as possible, including the information on legal remedies, and tell us when you received it.