Overview
- Lawmakers hold the first reading of a cabinet‑endorsed bill to introduce Grundsicherung from 1 July 2026, with parts of the tougher sanctions regime slated to take effect immediately after promulgation.
- The draft reinstates job placement priority, allows 30% benefit cuts for missed obligations with possible full cuts for refusing suitable work, and abolishes the asset grace period in favor of lower age‑based allowances.
- Nine welfare and labor groups, including DGB, Diakonie and the German Tenants’ Association, warn the plan risks rent arrears and homelessness and urge changes to sanctions and tighter accommodation rules.
- Wohngeld is transferred in advance on the last bank working day of the prior month under WoGG §26; after an average €30 uplift on 1 January 2025, no statutory increase is scheduled for 2026.
- Average Wohngeld entitlement is about €287 monthly with regional variation, eligibility is calculated case by case with §17 deductions for groups such as severely disabled people and single parents, and limited back payments are possible under §27 for specific cases like rent hikes over 10% or denial of another benefit.