New regulations for offsetting food costs for refugees in accommodation

Some refugees receive citizen’s allowance, so called Bürgergeld, or basic income support, Grundsicherung, and are also housed in accommodation where there is no possibility of self-sufficiency. For this group of people, there has been a nationwide change in the law in Social Codes II and XII since January 2024.

Bürgergeld includes costs for food and for electricity and heating, known as household energy. These costs are paid out in cash to people in their own living space or in accommodations without full board so that they can provide for themselves.

In accommodations without facilities for self-catering and cooking, people are provided by the operators of the accommodation. There they receive full catering and do not have to worry about electricity or heating. So far, these people also have received the full amount of Bürgergeld and Grundsicherung.

With the nationwide change in the law, these people will no longer be paid the amounts for food, energy and heating, because they are fully cared for in the accommodation. In Berlin, this new regulation will apply from September 1th, 2024. The Jobcenter, the district social service departments and the Landesamt für Flüchtlingsangelegenheiten (LAF) are working together to implement the law.

The change mainly affects Ukrainian refugees in the Tegel Arrival Center (UA TXL) and some other refugees who are already receiving benefits from the Jobcenter or the district social service departments and are living in reception facilities and emergency accommodation with full board. Those affected will soon receive a notification of change from their Jobcenter or the social service department responsible for them. There is no need to take any action for these people the responsible authorities will automatically coordinate this among themselves.

Below you will find answers to the most important questions about the new regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is affected by the new regulations?

  The new regulation affects all people who receive benefits according to Bürgergeld /Social Code II or according to Grundsicherung/Social Code XII (basic security, living aid, etc.) and live in state-run accommodations with full board. These are accommodations without kitchens. The residents are therefore unable to prepare food for themselves and are therefore provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner via catering. Currently these are all reception facilities of the Landesamt für Flüchtlingsangelegenheiten (LAF), the Ukraine arrival center on the site of the former Tegel Airport (UA TXL) and the emergency accommodation in hotels rented by the LAF for refugees.

• What do the new regulations mean for me financially?

  If you get full board in your accommodation, your food and household energy needs will be met by your accommodation. This means that you will receive less benefits from the authority responsible for you for these needs, i.e. you will receive less money. This share is set by law in lump sums. The monthly share for food and energy is:

  • for single adults: 186 euros,
  • for adults who live with a partner, per person: 167 euros,
  • for young adults, 18 – 24 years: 149 euros,
  • for young people aged 14 – 17: 178 euros,
  • for children aged 6 – 13: 131 euros and
  • for children aged 0 – 5 years: 98 euros.

  In future these flat rates are withheld monthly by the Job Center and the social service department for food and energy costs.

• When will the amounts be withheld and do I have to take action?

  The Job Center and the social service department will withhold the amounts with the payment as of September 2024. There will be no retroactive settlement. This means that you can keep the benefits paid up until August 2024 and do not have to pay them back. You will receive a notification of change in the post from the authority responsible for you in the next few weeks. You don’t have to do anything, it happens automatically.

• What is the legal basis for the new regulations?

  The basis is § 68 SGB II and § 142 SGB XII.

• What happens to the money that is withdrawn from me?

  The Job Center and the social service department transfer the withheld money in full to the Landesamt für Flüchtlingsangelegenheiten (LAF). The state office uses this to finance the catering and the energy supply in your accommodation.

• What happens if my contributions have been deducted for the entire month, but I move out of the accommodation during the month and provide for myself?

  You must report your departure to the Job Center and the social service department. For the days on which you no longer live in the accommodation and did not receive any food provided, you will receive a pro rata refund of the money withheld.

• Can the state of Berlin forgo the cuts for social reasons?

  No, the state of Berlin must implement the requirements of a federal law. The Social Code is binding for the state of Berlin and all other federal states.

• Who can I contact if I have questions about the new regulations?

  The Job Center and the social service department responsible for you is responsible for your benefits and is therefore also your point of contact. Please contact these offices if you have any questions. The LAF or the operators of the accommodation is not responsible for the payment of your benefit and will therefore not be able to help you with any questions.