Citizens’ allowance recipients may only earn a limited extent. If you do not report an additional income, this can have legal consequences.
Büdingen – Covering and at the same time operating entrepreneurial: What initially sounds contradictory is for Lea and René Büdingen in Hesse Reality. The couple is part of the RTLZwei documentary program “Armes Germany-Stamping or Racking?”, The Citizens’ Benefits Recipients accompanies.
In an episode of April 15, the special situation of the couple is discussed: Although they receive citizens’ allowance, they have found an alternative source of income. Lea sells her worn socks on the Internet. And earns above average. In their best month, the young couple deserves 3,000 euros. The job center knows nothing about it: the “passes past the job center,” says René openly on the show.
Citizens’ allowance recipients open up secondary business: what is allowed
However, this is not legal: although citizen benefit recipients are generally allowed to achieve their own income, but this is counted towards the services. Citizens’ money recipients are obliged to report all income to the job center. If you do not do that, it is a performance fraud.
Basically, 100 euros per month can be deserved without the state benefits being reduced. All further income will be offset. If you earn between 100 and 520 euros gross, you can Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Keep 20 percent of the earnings free of charge. With an income between 520 euros and 1000 euros, 30 percent of the income is free of charge. For people with a gross income in the range between 1000 euros and 1200 euros (or 1500 euros with a minor child) Do not take ten percent of the income into account.
A sample calculation by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs shows that the allowance with a gross income of 900 euros was 298 euros: 100 euros plus 84 euros (20 percent of 100 to 520 euros) plus 114 euros (30 percent of 520 euros to 900 euros).
| Gross wages | calculation -free amounts |
| Between 100.01 EUR and EUR 520.00 | 20 percent |
| Between 520.01 EUR and 1000 EUR | 30 percent |
| Between EUR 1000.01 and 1200 EUR | 10 percent |
Support the side business in front of a job center: this can have criminal consequences
Anyone who does notify the JobCenter relevant changes, such as adjoining ancillary income, must expect consequences. On the one hand, too much paid services are reclaimed, and on the other hand, a fine can be imposed. In serious cases, for example, if it has been acted deliberately, the portal threatens opposite-hartz.de Criminal proceedings for fraud.
It’s not the first time that a citizen benefit recipient confesses additional undeclared work on TV and therefore threaten it consequences. However, despite the non -reported work, René and Lea show up without worries on the show. They speak openly about their strategy to host the system. “There are so many people who don’t make it away on the straight. (…) You have to trick and cheat, do and do that you have anything at all,” said her statement on the show.
The current coalition agreement provides for changes to the citizens’ benefit, also with regard to additional earnings limits and control mechanisms. (jus)
