Although Jobcenter customers are not entitled to a “vacation”, they are allowed to go away for a maximum of three weeks a year without having to forgo benefits from the authority. However, this only applies if the Jobcenter has approved the absence in advance.
This means that anyone who receives citizen’s income and wants to travel during the period of unemployment and cannot be reached must inform the Jobcenter in advance and obtain its approval. If the Jobcenter has given its approval, benefits will continue to be paid for this period. Health insurance will also continue. If you receive citizen’s income and are absent for more than three weeks, you generally lose your entitlement to benefits and are no longer covered by health insurance. The same applies if someone travels without permission.
The situation is slightly different for recipients of unemployment benefit: “The employment agency can approve an absence for a maximum of six consecutive weeks.
weeks”, according to the information sheet “Things to know about moving and traveling” from the employment agency. Detailed information can be found on the website: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/datei/merkblatt-umzug-reisen_ba035665.pdf
But here too, the absence must be approved in advance. And money is paid for a maximum of three weeks.
Torsten Nebe, spokesman for the Reutlingen job center, explains the reasons for these regulations when asked by Tuenews International: “In order to help our customers find a new job or training as quickly as possible, we offer them suitable work or training wherever possible. To do this, we need to be able to reach them on working days. For example, they should be able to come to the workplace for an interview as quickly as possible. Customers should seek advice from us and clarify what they need to consider in the event of absence before they travel. This helps them to avoid financial difficulties,” continues Nebe.
Anyone planning a trip can also apply for approval online via the email address in their user account on jobcenter.digital.
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Das Jobcenter in Tübingen. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian.
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