Leitfaden für Arbeitslose

The 36th edition brings the guide up to date as of March 2022. Unlike the previous edition published in 2020, the legislator has made few changes to the Social Code III since then. Only the COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark, particularly regarding the regulation of short-time work benefits. These potentially time-limited changes are reflected in Chapter K, based on the law extending special regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic concerning short-time work benefits and other services dated March 23, 2022.

Digitalization is advancing and is also impacting unemployment insurance. Since 1927, when unemployment insurance was first established in Germany, unemployed individuals had to register in person at the employment office or job agency. The legislator has now changed this. As of January 1, 2022, an electronic unemployment registration in the Federal Employment Agency's specialized portal is sufficient. Therefore, a visit to the employment agency is no longer necessary.

The case law is incorporated as of March 2022. A question of significant importance for many unemployed individuals was clarified by the Federal Social Court (BSG) in a ruling on March 4, 2021 - B 11 AL 5/10 R: It had long been disputed whether the authorities' claims for reimbursement expire after four years or thirty years. It is now established that claims for reimbursement by the Federal Employment Agency expire after four years; only enforcement attempts, once they become final, can extend the limitation period to thirty years.

The professional guidelines of the Federal Employment Agency, which aim to ensure a uniform practice among job agencies, have been updated accordingly. An overview of the funding instruments of the Federal Employment Agency for young and adult refugees from Ukraine can be found in the relevant materials.