Unemployment Benefit (Arbeitslosengeld)
The Federal Employment Agency provides a basic sustenance allowance (Arbeitslosengeld) for those who have recently lost a job under some circumstances. However, if you are new to Germany, the chances of being able to avail this benefit is slim. There are two types of unemployment benefits. The Arbeitslosengeld I is a full benefit that is paid as a percentage of ones previous salary/contribution made. The second one, Arbeitslosengeld II is a sustenance allowance paid in case of extended unemployment. While there are many conditions that apply to confirm your eligibility, here we would like to describe some of the basic ones.
EU, Non-EU
- Non EU citizens- To be eligible to obtain Arbeitslosengeld, a Non EU resident should have lived, worked and contributed towards Arbeitslosenversicherung for a minimum of 1 year in Germany.
- EU Citizens- An EU resident should have contributed to the corresponding funds in the previous country of residence for minimum of 12 months over a 3 year period (in other words, should have worked on a regular work contract for at least 1 year).
What is Arbeitlosengeld I & Arbeitlosengeld II
Arbeitlosengeld I can be claimed after having worked as qan employee in Germany for atleast 12 months. That sums up to arount 60% of your net salary.
Arbeitlosengeld II is an extended financial support that is provided beyond the accepted period of Arbeitslosengeld I when a job is until then not obtained. However this is not an extensive Financial support as Arbeitslosengeld I, which is based on your previous contributions towards the fund. This is only a sustenance money with more stringent regulations attached. For instance, someone receiving Arbeitslosengeld II should be able to appear at the Employment agency at short notice, should be more inclined towards taking up different training programs and cannot repeatedly decline job offers even if it was for a valid reason (long travel hours, away from family, etc).
For more detailed information please read here www3.arbeitsagentur.deUnemploymentBenefitII/Detail
When and How to apply
Whether you leave the job or the boss fires you, in either case of termination of employment, the information should be conveyed to the Federal Employment Agency and necessary applications should be made. When a notice period is available, a minimum of 3 months prior notification at the Federal Employment Agency has to be made. In case of a termination without notice period, the Federal Employment Agency should be informed, at the least 3 days after you have received the information about your termination.
The major step herein after is to register with the Employment Agency online as well as personally. Among other applications, you would have to fill in the “Antrag auf Arbeitslosengeld” which is the application for financial assistance. Basically, your financial status in the case of a sudden loss of job has to be detailed in this application which includes details of other earning members of the family/unemployed dependants (spouse/children) has to be disclosed here. In the case of the your spouse being employed, chances of approval of a financial assistance is slim. Otherwise, an approval detailing how much of a financial assistance will be provided and until when it will be paid will be sent to you. Based on your qualifications or based on the nature of your previous job, the Employment agency provides assistance in finding a new job.
