What Is Bürgergeld?

 Well....it's complicated.

Around twenty years ago....the SPD-coalition at the time decided that the welfare system of Germany was crapped-out, with a tremendous problem brewing in the decade ahead....if they didn't 'fix' welfare.  So they invented a totally new system....called 'Hartz IV'.  

In the first two years, it got a lot of negative attention and journalists really dumped criticism almost weekly upon the new program.  

So in the past year....there's been this idea of throwing Hartz IV out, and inventing this thing called Bürgergeld (citizen's money).

It'll start the first week of 2023.

Some Germans (particularly with the SPD Party) will say it's practically universal basic income, with no conditions.  Most journalists will laugh when this expression is discussed.

I would call it Hartz IV-turboized (with you getting the Hartz IV amount with 12-percent extra added it).  What's the amount per adult?  502 Euro.  For a couple?  It's 954 Euro.  Per two kids?  Around 760 Euro. 

Rent and heating?  That's covered by the Job Center and it goes direct to the Landlord, with zero chance of the welfare guy/gal touching the money.

An odd change?  Under past rules, if the Job Center offered you a job, or offered you job training....you were forced to accept, or lose a portion of welfare check. Well....they got rid of that rule.  My humble belief is that this change will be revisited in two years and flipped back on.

Fixing things?  Most on welfare will tell you that the 502 Euro marginally covers food, and extras.  For example....owning a car is near impossible on a 502 budget.  

The idea of the welfare program?  You were supposed to wrap up your unemployment, and seriously look for work.  Most Germans will tell you that the bulk of Hartz IV people have lost their incentive to work, and their enthusiasm is mostly zeroed out.  

The odds of Bürgergeld being replaced in ten years?  Probably near 80-percent.  It's mostly to just have a new name for it, and avoid saying the word 'welfare'.