First half of 2026: urgent proceedings against job center notices increased sharply

Basic security, formerly citizen's money, is intended to ensure the existence of those entitled to benefits. Theoretically. In practice, things often look different: A legal entitlement does not mean that people actually get their rights. “We are seeing how more and more people have to fight for living benefits,” says Harald Thomé from the Tacheles unemployment and social welfare association.

From January to July 2026, objections and lawsuits against decisions from the job center increased significantly compared to the same period last year. The number of urgent legal proceedings even doubled within a year. This is shown by an expert report entitled "Being right? Isn't enough", which Tacheles commissioned from the Society for Communication and Social Affairs and which was presented on Thursday in Berlin.

The number of new objections received increased by 31 percent and the number of complaints by 18.6 percent compared to the same period last year. There was a sharp increase of 124.5 percent in applications for interim legal protection: in the first seven months of this year alone, more urgent proceedings have been initiated than in the entire year of 2025 combined.

With the help of expedited proceedings, those affected can temporarily secure their rights before the court decides on the main proceedings. It could take several months or even years for this to happen. Interim legal protection becomes relevant when a matter is so urgent that waiting is not possible. “The exceptionally strong increase is therefore an important indication of how severely those affected are now suffering from existential pressure,” says the report.

If the job center denies living benefits, this has immediately noticeable consequences: there is no money for housing or living expenses.

There is a case to be made for seeing the increase in legal appeals as an “expression of growing social pressure,” the paper says. The less money a household has at its disposal, the greater the need to have a missing, reduced or reclaimed social benefit legally verified.

Experience has shown that this is often successful: in 30.9 percent of the objections settled in 2025, the original decision was corrected. The number of complaints was around 31.5 percent.

Essentially, incorrect application of the law and inadequate documentation or clarification of the facts played a role - both aspects that are not the responsibility of those affected, but rather the responsibility of the administration. There were also cases in which additional documents, subsequent participation or a new presentation led to a change.

At the same time, those affected face considerable problems when they want to get legal support. Advice centers are themselves under pressure due to cuts in the social sector and increased costs, for example due to increased commercial rents. In addition, not all advice centers are familiar with legal issues, reports Thomé.

Legal assistance will be necessary in court at the latest. Advice centers cannot take over the representation. Thomé believes that these should actually be allowed as legal counsel in court. Just out of necessity, because finding social rights activists is difficult. People would regularly contact 30 to 50 law firms without finding anyone. Cases in this area are “highly complex” and poorly paid.

To be right? Not enough. It can be understood as a conclusion and a request at the same time.