📞 Advice and points of contact

Who is responsible for what – and where do you get independent support if you are getting nowhere with the Jobcenter or employment agency?

Jobcenter employment agency (Agentur für Arbeit) advice for the unemployed (Erwerbslosenberatung) social advice advice centre

In brief

The Agentur für Arbeit is responsible for unemployment benefit I, careers advice and placement, and the Jobcenter at your place of residence for Grundsicherungsgeld, housing and heating costs and the cooperation plan. In addition there are independent advice services – for example advice centres for the unemployed, debt counselling, social and consumer advice – that are not bound by the authorities’ decisions and can support you in particular with objections and conflicts.

Step by step

Clarify who is responsibleFirst check whether your concern involves the Agentur für Arbeit (ALG I, placement, further training) or the Jobcenter (Grundsicherungsgeld, KdU, cooperation plan, sanctions).
Use the first point of contact at the officeBoth authorities have their own advice and complaints offices; actively ask for written confirmation of commitments.
Bring in independent adviceIn cases of conflict, sanctions or complicated cases, an independent advice centre for the unemployed, social advice or debt counselling can help you assess your situation.
Get legal adviceFor legally disputed questions (e.g. before a lawsuit), a specialist lawyer for social law, where applicable via legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe), can help.

Deadlines

Watch out – common mistakes

Do not confuse the Jobcenter (Grundsicherungsgeld) with the Agentur für Arbeit (unemployment benefit I) – the two are often in the same building but are different authorities with different responsibilities.
Nationwide, uniformly funded independent advice for the unemployed could not be demonstrated in this research – such services are, according to available information, mostly funded at state or municipal level and are therefore available differently from region to region; check the services in your region directly.
Legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) for out-of-court matters and legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) for court proceedings must be applied for separately at the local court or social court respectively and are income-dependent.

In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Official responsibilities

The Agentur für Arbeit is responsible for unemployment benefit I, careers advice, training placement and the approval of education vouchers. The Jobcenter – as a joint institution of the Agentur für Arbeit and the municipality or as an authorised municipal body – is responsible for Grundsicherungsgeld, housing and heating costs, the cooperation plan and sanction decisions.

Independent advice

Besides the authorities themselves there are independent advice centres for the unemployed, which are typically run by welfare associations and – as far as can be determined – are mostly funded at state or municipal level (e.g. through state funding programmes). Uniform nationwide funding of independent advice for the unemployed could not be demonstrated in this research; actual availability therefore varies by region and should be asked about locally.

Legal support

For objections and social court proceedings, out-of-court legal advice assistance (to be applied for at the local court) and, for the court proceedings, where applicable legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) can be used. Specialist lawyers for social law as well as social associations (e.g. Sozialverband VdK, SoVD) often offer an initial legal consultation for members.

Who is responsible

Agentur für Arbeit
Jobcenter
Independent advice centres for the unemployed, social advice and debt counselling (funded differently by region)

Quick questions

What is “Advice and points of contact”?

Who is responsible for what – and where do you get independent support if you are getting nowhere with the Jobcenter or employment agency?

What should I do first?

Clarify who is responsible: First check whether your concern involves the Agentur für Arbeit (ALG I, placement, further training) or the Jobcenter (Grundsicherungsgeld, KdU, cooperation plan, sanctions).
Use the first point of contact at the office: Both authorities have their own advice and complaints offices; actively ask for written confirmation of commitments.
Bring in independent advice: In cases of conflict, sanctions or complicated cases, an independent advice centre for the unemployed, social advice or debt counselling can help you assess your situation.

What do I need to watch out for?

Do not confuse the Jobcenter (Grundsicherungsgeld) with the Agentur für Arbeit (unemployment benefit I) – the two are often in the same building but are different authorities with different responsibilities.
Nationwide, uniformly funded independent advice for the unemployed could not be demonstrated in this research – such services are, according to available information, mostly funded at state or municipal level and are therefore available differently from region to region; check the services in your region directly.
Legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) for out-of-court matters and legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) for court proceedings must be applied for separately at the local court or social court respectively and are income-dependent.

Evidence

Research on SGB II/SGB III responsibilities (gesetze-im-internet.de)
Förderdatenbank des Bundes – example: state funding for advice for the unemployed in Lower Saxony (foerderdatenbank.de) – as evidence that funding is at state level, not uniform nationwide

As of

As of: September 2026 (legal position since 1 July 2026, 13th SGB II Amendment Act, BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 107). · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.