🏛️ Wegweiser Citizens and Authorities

Understanding a notice of decision (Bescheid), hearing, objection, court action, inaction, access to files, information requests, review and costs: explained clearly, with legal bases and deadlines.

Legal position as of September 2026. This group covers procedure before authorities (VwVfG of the Federation and the Länder, VwGO, SGB X, SGG; state law only BY, NRW, BE). It complements the groups "Society" (fundamental rights, participation) and "Poverty" (the benefits themselves). Whether an objection procedure is mandatory depends on the Land and the area of law; the instructions on legal remedies in the notice of decision are what counts. Announced reforms that have not been passed are not presented here as applicable law. Information, not legal advice. Sources and limits

Roadmap: answer questions, see steps with deadlines – Challenging a notice of decision: objection, court action, inaction.

Frequently searched

📄 Understanding a notice of decision ✍️ Filing an objection ⏰ Deadlines and restoration of the original position ⏳ When the authority does not decide 🔁 Request for review under § 44 SGB X 🤝 Legal advice assistance and legal aid

All topic areas

📄Notice of decision and hearingOverview, reading a notice of decision, hearing.3 topics ⚖️Objection and court actionObjection, court action, inaction, review.4 topics 🔎Files and informationAccess to files, information about your data, freedom of information.3 topics ⏰Deadlines and costsDeadlines, restoration of the original position (Wiedereinsetzung), fees and reimbursement of costs.2 topics ✉️Complaint and petitionTurning to elected representatives and public bodies.1 topic 🧭Help and adviceLegal advice assistance, legal aid, points of contact.2 topics

📄 Notice of decision and hearing

Overview, reading a notice of decision, hearing.

🏛️Overview: your rights towards authoritiesFrom the hearing to court action: which steps exist and which deadline to watch first. 📄Understanding a notice of decisionWhat a notice must contain, when the deadline starts and how to read the instructions on legal remedies. 🗣️Hearing before the notice of decisionBefore an authority interferes with your rights, it must give you the opportunity to comment. There are exceptions.

⚖️ Objection and court action

Objection, court action, inaction, review.

✍️Filing an objectionWithin one month, to the authority: what an objection looks like, where it must go and what happens next. 🏛️Court action before the administrative or social courtWhen the objection gets you nowhere: deadline, court, representation and costs at a glance. ⏳When the authority does not decideAction for failure to act: after 3 or 6 months you can sue if no decision was made without good reason. 🔁Request for review under § 44 SGB XNotice is final but wrong? Under the basic SGB X rule, social benefits can be paid retroactively for up to four years (basic income support, Grundsicherungsgeld, and social assistance: only one year).

🔎 Files and information

Access to files, information about your data, freedom of information.

🗂️Access to filesAs a party you may inspect the files, to the extent you need them for your rights. 🔐Information about your data (Art. 15 DSGVO)You can find out from an authority what data it stores about you. Reply usually within one month. 📢Information from authorities (IFG)Anyone can request official information from federal authorities, even without a procedure of their own. Access should be given within one month.

⏰ Deadlines and costs

Deadlines, restoration of the original position (Wiedereinsetzung), fees and reimbursement of costs.

⏰Deadlines and restoration of the original positionMissed a deadline? In some circumstances there is restoration of the original position (Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand), but only briefly and on application. 💶Fees and costsWhat proceedings can cost and when the authority must reimburse your expenses.

✉️ Complaint and petition

Turning to elected representatives and public bodies.

✉️Petition and complaintYou can turn in writing to authorities and parliaments with requests or complaints. This does not replace an objection.

🧭 Help and advice

Legal advice assistance, legal aid, points of contact.

🤝Legal advice assistance and legal aidLittle money? There is state help for advice and representation towards authorities and for court actions. 🧭Advice and points of contactWhere to get help in a dispute with authorities. Only verified, nationwide offices.

For reference

📕Keyword indexAll terms from A to Z, with links to the matching topic pages. 📜Sources and methodWhere the information comes from and what is expressly uncertain. 🏠Other target groupsTo the overview of all Wegweiser portals.

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.