Citizens' benefit 2025: standard requirements remain unchanged - what does that mean for you?

Citizens' benefit 2025: standard requirements remain unchanged - what does that mean for you?

On August 16, 2025, the discussion will once again focus on citizens' money, a controversial social benefit that has existed in Germany since the Hartz reforms in 2005. Around 5.4 million people in Germany currently receive citizen's benefit, which is intended to help secure the minimum subsistence level for those who do not have sufficient income. Those eligible must be between 15 and 67 years old and able to work at least three hours a day. This information provides Mercury.

But how exactly is the rule set made up? This includes twelve categories for current expenses, although some items such as alcohol, tobacco and pets are not included. The costs for accommodation are determined separately by the municipalities. In addition, the standard rate is determined every five years through a comprehensive household survey, which surveys 80,000 households. The next survey is already scheduled for 2025, while the adjustments to citizens' benefit will take place annually based on inflation (70%) and wages (30%). Citizen money informs that the forecasts for 2025 indicate an inflation rate of between 2% and 2.4%.

Rule rates for 2025

The standard rates for the coming year have been set and are as follows:

• Alleinstehende/Alleinerziehende: 563 Euro
• Paare/Bedarfsgemeinschaften: 506 Euro pro Person (insgesamt 1.012 Euro)
• Junge Erwachsene (18-24 Jahre): 451 Euro
• Jugendliche (14-17 Jahre): 471 Euro
• Kinder (6-13 Jahre): 390 Euro
• Kleinkinder/Babys (0-5 Jahre): 357 Euro

However, not everyone agrees with this regulation. Critics argue that the adjustments to the citizen's allowance are too high and unfair compared to low wages. However, this is refuted by the Economic and Social Sciences Institute of the Hans Böckler Foundation. These emphasize that the increases must be viewed in the context of consumer prices and net wages.

Additional considerations

The voice of the Joint Association is particularly loud, calling for the standard rate to be increased to 813 euros because numerous expenses are not taken into account. In addition to the standard rates, the costs of accommodation and heating are also covered, which represents an important relief for many recipients. They usually have statutory health insurance and can apply for additional needs for single parents as well as benefits for education and participation.

In order to receive the standard rate, an application is required at the responsible job center and payment is made monthly in advance. This regulation ensures that recipients can use the available funds on their own responsibility and that reserves can also be created for irregular costs.

The next few months will show whether the current standard rates and the planned increases meet the needs of those affected. One thing is clear, however: There is still a lot to be done when it comes to securing the subsistence level in Germany.