Citizens' benefit reform: Mönchengladbacher reports hunger and insecurity!

Citizens' benefit reform: Mönchengladbacher reports hunger and insecurity!

With a study on the living conditions of citizens' benefit recipients, the Berlin survey institute Verian, in collaboration with the Sanktionsfrei association, is shedding light on the challenges faced by people in Germany who are dependent on this state support. Over 1,000 citizens' benefit recipients aged 18 to 67 were surveyed in April 2025. The results, which were published on June 23, 2025, show a sobering picture: 72% of those surveyed find the standard rate of 563 euros per month to be insufficient for a dignified life. In fact, one in two reported that there wasn't enough for everyone in their household, highlighting that many families are struggling with the reality of having to sacrifice their own food to feed their children.

Thomas Wasilewski, a citizen's benefit recipient from Mönchengladbach, provides a particularly striking example. He describes his constant worries and the psychological stress that comes with the uncertainty and pressure to provide enough for his family. “It’s not easy,” he says. “The constant fear of benefit cuts hovers over you, and your worst fear is becoming homeless.” The study shows that 72% of those surveyed share this fear and 42% are ashamed of receiving citizen's money. Only 12% feel integrated into society.

The political reactions

Politicians such as Ralf Witzel from the NRW-FDP expressed criticism of the study because they suspect an underrepresentation of foreigners who could also be dependent on citizens' money. Gregor Golland from the CDU questions the results and emphasizes that no one is forced to receive citizen's money. At the same time, the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD provides for the abolition of citizens' money and the introduction of a new basic security, which aims to get more people into work and protect the welfare state from abuse.

In the new basic security, obstacles to placement are to be reduced and the special needs of mentally ill people are to be taken into account. However, the faster enforcement of sanctions – up to and including complete withdrawal of benefits – could further increase the fears of citizens' benefit recipients.

A broader context

In Germany, around 5.4 million people live on citizen's money, more than 60% of whom have a migrant background. The monthly expenses for the state amount to around 1,000 euros per citizen benefit recipient. This shows the importance of the topic in the context of the entire social system in Germany, which, in addition to citizens' benefits, also includes basic security in old age and in cases of reduced earning capacity as well as social assistance. These services are designed to take people's different life situations into account.

Cost of living and the question of ability to work are central to the receipt of citizen's benefit, which, in contrast to social assistance, which also applies to people with permanent incapacity, depends on the ability to work. People without needs who need temporary support can apply for help with living expenses from the social welfare office.

The results of the study make it clear that despite the intention to encourage people to become self-employed, many recipients of community benefit are faced with enormous everyday challenges. Almost three quarters of those surveyed said that they would like a higher standard rate of 813 euros in order to be able to lead a decent life. It remains to be seen whether and how the federal government will respond to these demands, while the discussion about citizens' money remains heated.

RTL reported that….
taz offers additional insights into the realities of life for citizens’ benefit recipients…
buerger-geld.org explains the differences between citizens' benefit, basic security and social assistance.