Covering removal costs

Jobcenter · Assurance, moving costs, rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares under § 22 SGB II

In personAssurance in advanceJobcenter

Anyone receiving benefits under Book Two of the Social Code (SGB II) who moves can apply to the Jobcenter or the local authority for three separate benefits: the assurance that the costs of the new accommodation will be recognised (§ 22 Abs. 4 SGB II), reimbursement of costs of securing new accommodation and moving costs, and a loan for the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares (§ 22 Abs. 6 SGB II). These three building blocks follow different rules, have different legal consequences, and when you move to a different local authority area, they are even decided by two different authorities.

One clarification up front, because the opposite is often claimed online: the assurance before signing the new tenancy agreement is, under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II, a “should” provision (Soll-Vorschrift) and not an obligation whose breach automatically costs you all benefits. Anyone who moves without an assurance does not lose the rent: the reasonable needs for accommodation and heating continue to be covered, and under Satz 3 only costs higher than reasonable are not recognised. It is different for moving costs, the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares – there, the prior assurance under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II is a genuine condition of entitlement. And for persons under 25, § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II imposes by far the strictest rule in the whole provision.

This page explains which documents you need to submit, which body is responsible for which application, how the deposit loan is repaid under § 42a SGB II, and which mistakes regularly lead to a refusal. Note on the reform: with the restructuring of basic income support for jobseekers taking effect on 1 July 2026, the cash benefit will no longer be called “Bürgergeld” (citizen's benefit), but “Grundsicherungsgeld” (basic income support benefit). Responsibility for the assurance, moving costs and deposit remains unchanged with the Jobcenter or the local authority, and the provisions described here continue to be found in § 22 and § 42a SGB II.

Last updated31 August 2026

Legal basis§ 22 Abs. 4–6 SGB II, § 42a SGB II, § 551 BGB

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Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta

Independent information page: we are not the Jobcenter, not an authority and not a paid advisory service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in simple terms; the competent body is always authoritative. Reasonableness thresholds, flat rates and guidelines on cost coverage are set by the relevant local authority and differ from one local authority to another. All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.

Required documents

Application for the assurance — The application can be submitted informally in writing; most Jobcenters have their own form for this (“Application for assurance of recognition of the costs for new accommodation”). It must include the full address of the new accommodation, the living space, the net cold rent (Nettokaltmiete), and the advance payments for service charges and heating costs. Submit it while the tenancy agreement is not yet signed – for moving costs and the deposit, the prior assurance under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II is a condition of entitlement.

Accommodation offer or draft tenancy agreement (unsigned) — This is what the authority uses to check whether the costs are reasonable. An already signed contract is no reason for the authority to stop covering your rent, but it does remove your entitlement to moving costs, the deposit and housing cooperative shares. Ask the landlord for a draft contract or a time-limited reservation confirmation instead.

Rent certificate from the future landlord — A Jobcenter form that the landlord fills in: net cold rent, cold service charges, advance payment for heating costs, type of heating, living space, number of rooms, and the deposit required. Without this information, the reasonableness assessment cannot be carried out, and the application is left unprocessed. You can get the form from the Jobcenter or from your local authority's download area.

Written statement of why the move is necessary — Explain in your own words why the move is necessary: taking up a job or training place in the new location, reducing unreasonable accommodation costs, the birth of a child, separation, health reasons, accessibility, domestic violence, or termination of the tenancy by the landlord. Under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 2 SGB II, the assurance should be granted if the move is necessary – you must explain and prove that necessity.

Evidence of the reason for the move — Notice of termination from the landlord, an eviction order or eviction action, an employment contract or a job offer, a medical certificate, evidence of a new family member, or the Jobcenter's request to reduce costs. In practice, this evidence more often decides the assurance than the statement of reasons itself, because it provides objective proof of the facts.

Cost estimates or a calculation for a self-organised move — The usual approach is several written quotes from removal companies; alternatively, a verifiable breakdown for a move you organise yourself, covering a hire van, fuel, moving boxes and food for helpers. There are no fixed amounts set by federal law: the amount covered depends on the proven, reasonable costs and the guidelines of the competent local authority.

Evidence of the deposit required — The deposit clause from the draft tenancy agreement, or written confirmation from the landlord of the security required. Under § 551 Abs. 1 BGB, the rent security deposit may amount to no more than three times the rent for one month, excluding the service charges shown as a flat rate or advance payment; any demand above this is invalid and will not be covered.

Documents on housing cooperative shares — If you rent from a housing cooperative: the membership declaration, the cooperative's statutes, and the calculation of the compulsory shares to be subscribed. § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 SGB II expressly names housing cooperative shares alongside the rent security deposit; like the deposit, they are provided as a loan and must not be forgotten in the application.

Old tenancy agreement and notice of termination — The old contract shows your previous rent, which serves as the benchmark under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 4 SGB II, as well as the notice period and any cosmetic repairs or reinstatement clause. Renovation costs for the old accommodation can only be recognised if there is a valid obligation under the tenancy agreement – so enclose the relevant clause in the original.

Your current award notice (Bescheid) with your customer number and benefit unit number (Bedarfsgemeinschaftsnummer, BG number) — Without the BG number, the application cannot be matched to your file at the Jobcenter and gets lost in the post room. The notice also shows the accommodation costs currently recognised, which the authority uses to check whether the move leads to a reduction in costs.

Identity card (Personalausweis) or residence title — To verify your identity and prove your residence status. If you move to a different local authority area, the new authority will usually ask to see it again, because it must check its own local jurisdiction independently and you are not yet on file there.

For persons under 25: evidence under § 22 Abs. 5 Satz 2 SGB II — Proof of serious social reasons that rule out staying in the parents' home (for example, a statement from the Jugendamt (youth welfare office) or a medical certificate), proof that moving into the accommodation is necessary for integration into the labour market (a training or employment contract in the new location), or proof of another, similarly serious reason. If one of these reasons applies, the local authority is obliged to give the assurance.

Step by step

Check reasonableness and necessity in advance

Before you commit to a new home, clarify two questions: is the new accommodation reasonable under the local reasonableness thresholds, and is the move necessary? The local authority sets the reasonableness values on the basis of a coherent concept, a rent index, or a rent value table – there are no nationwide figures, and the values can differ considerably between neighbouring local authorities. Ask the Jobcenter in writing for the gross cold rent (Bruttokaltmiete: rent plus service charges, excluding heating) that applies to your household size. Also note the upper limit under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II: actual costs are not recognised to the extent that they are more than one and a half times as high as the costs considered reasonable in the abstract.

Identify the competent local authority – there can be two

§ 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 SGB II expressly splits responsibility: the local authority with local jurisdiction until the move gives the assurance for costs of securing new accommodation and moving costs, while the authority at the place of the new accommodation is responsible for the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares. Under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II, the authority at the new place of residence is likewise responsible for recognising the future accommodation costs. If you move within the same city, this is the same body. If you move to a different local authority area, you must submit two applications to two authorities – this is the most common source of error in the whole procedure.

Apply for the assurance in writing before you sign

Submit the application together with the rent certificate, draft contract and statement of reasons while the tenancy agreement is not yet signed. Have the receipt confirmed – by a date stamp on your copy, through the inbox in the online portal, or by Einwurf-Einschreiben (registered letter delivered to the recipient's letterbox). If you are moving to a different area used for the reasonableness assessment, you are in a strong position: under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 2 SGB II, the authority responsible for the new accommodation gives the assurance that the costs will be recognised, provided they are reasonable. This is a binding decision with no discretion.

Calculate and document the moving costs

Get quotes from removal companies, or work out a verifiable calculation for a self-organised move: a hire van, fuel, moving boxes, food for helpers and, if needed, a no-parking zone. Many authorities ask for several quotes and prefer the cheaper self-organised move. There are no amounts set by federal law for transport, a hire van or helpers; the amount covered depends on the competent authority. Only instruct a company once you have the assurance in writing – otherwise you risk being left to pay the bill yourself.

Apply for the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares separately

This application goes to the local authority at the place of the new accommodation, not to your previous Jobcenter. Under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 3 SGB II, the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares should be provided as a loan; in practice, the authority transfers the amount directly to the landlord or the cooperative and has the repayment claims assigned to it. Important: the deposit and the shares can be recognised under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 SGB II even if ongoing benefits for accommodation and heating are not being paid at all.

Wait for the written notice and check it carefully

A verbal promise at the counter or on the phone is not enough: for costs higher than reasonable, § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 3 SGB II expressly requires an assurance given in writing in advance. Check four points in the notice: which costs are assured, in what amount, for which specific accommodation, and whether as a grant or as a loan. If an item is missing – for example the housing cooperative shares or the renovation of the old accommodation – request it in writing. The one-month period for lodging an objection (Widerspruch) against a refusal runs under § 84 Abs. 1 SGG.

Sign the tenancy agreement and give notice on the old accommodation

Only sign once you have the assurance in writing. Give notice on the old accommodation in good time: for tenants, the statutory notice period under § 573c Abs. 1 BGB is three months, and notice is valid if given by the third working day of a calendar month, taking effect at the end of the month after next. An overlap between the two tenancies is not regulated as an entitlement under SGB II; unavoidable double rent is only considered as a cost of securing new accommodation under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II, and only with a prior assurance. Plan the handover date as tightly as possible for this reason.

Move, keep the receipts, and settle the costs

Keep all invoices, receipts, fuel receipts and the hire van contract, and submit the settlement promptly after the move. Many authorities only pay once the original receipts have been presented, or they settle against an advance already granted. Even an assurance already given will not be paid out without receipts, because only the costs actually incurred and proven can be recognised. Make copies for your own records before handing over the originals.

Register the new address and report changes

Register your new place of residence with the registration authority (Meldebehörde) within two weeks of moving in – the deadline follows from § 17 Abs. 1 BMG, and the landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) that the landlord must issue follows from § 19 BMG. At the same time, tell the Jobcenter your new address, the new tenancy agreement and the changed accommodation costs without delay; the obligation to cooperate follows from § 60 Abs. 1 SGB I. If you move to a different local authority area, the competent Jobcenter also changes, so a transfer of your file must be arranged.

Costs, grant and loan

Service	Rules in 2026
Application and assurance	Free of charge — administrative procedures under the Social Code are free of costs and expenses under § 64 Abs. 1 SGB X
Moving transport (removal company)	Depends on the competent authority — proven, reasonable costs, no amounts set by federal law
Self-organised move (hire van, boxes, helpers)	Depends on the competent authority — flat rates and maximum amounts are set by the local authority
Rent security deposit	Loan — no more than three times the net cold rent (§ 551 Abs. 1 BGB), interest-free
Cooperative shares	Loan — expressly named in § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 and Satz 3 SGB II
Costs of securing new accommodation (e.g. estate agent's commission, double rent)	Depends on the competent authority — only with a prior assurance and only to the extent reasonable
Renovation of the old accommodation	Depends on the competent authority — only with a valid obligation under the tenancy agreement
Repayment of the deposit loan	5% of the applicable standard needs = €28.15/month with standard needs of €563 (§ 42a Abs. 2 Satz 1 SGB II)

Grant or loan – the difference decides your budget. Costs of securing new accommodation and moving costs are recognised as a need under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II and are therefore paid as a grant that you do not have to repay. The rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares, on the other hand, should be provided as a loan under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 3 SGB II. Both types of benefit have the same condition: the prior assurance of the competent local authority in each case.

How the deposit loan is repaid. For as long as you receive benefits to secure your subsistence, the loan is repaid under § 42a Abs. 2 Satz 1 SGB II from the month after payment, by monthly offsetting equal to 5% of the applicable standard needs. With standard needs of €563, that is €28.15 a month, deducted from your ongoing benefit. The offsetting must be declared in writing by administrative act under § 42a Abs. 2 Satz 3 SGB II – so you receive a separate notice, which you can check and challenge with an objection. If more than 20% of the standard needs is already being offset, any further offsetting is excluded.

Two cases where the remaining amount falls due immediately. If the landlord repays the deposit at the end of the tenancy, the loan amount not yet repaid falls due immediately in full under § 42a Abs. 3 Satz 1 SGB II; in practice, repayment often goes directly from the landlord to the local authority, because the authority has the claim assigned to it when the deposit is paid out. If your receipt of benefits ends, the remaining amount is likewise immediately due in full under § 42a Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II – however, the authority should then agree a repayment arrangement that takes your financial circumstances into account. Apply for such an arrangement actively, rather than waiting for a payment reminder.

Why there is no table of euro amounts for transport here. Neither § 22 SGB II nor any federal regulation names amounts for a removal van, a removal company, boxes or helpers. What counts is solely the reasonable costs proven in the individual case and the internal guidelines of the relevant local authority, which differ considerably from one local authority to another. Figures circulating online as “nationwide flat rates” have no legal basis. Ask your authority in writing for its specific rates and ask it to name the relevant guideline – you can rely on this information in objection proceedings.

The ongoing rent must be strictly separated from the moving costs. For the needs for accommodation and heating, § 22 Abs. 1 SGB II applies: the actual costs are recognised to the extent that they are reasonable; within the one-year grace period (Karenzzeit) after benefits begin, they are generally recognised in full. However, this grace period has a hard upper limit – under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II, actual costs are not recognised to the extent that they are more than one and a half times as high as the costs considered reasonable in the abstract. So anyone who moves into a significantly more expensive home during the grace period cannot rely on the full rent being covered.

Important notes

“Should” is not “must” – but always get the assurance anyway. § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II frames the assurance before signing the contract as a “should” provision (Soll-Vorschrift). The legal consequence of moving without an assurance is graduated: the reasonable rent continues to be covered, and under Satz 3 only costs higher than reasonable are not recognised. For moving costs, the deposit and housing cooperative shares under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II, by contrast, the prior assurance is a mandatory condition of entitlement.

Under 25, the strictest rule in § 22 SGB II applies. If a person who has not yet turned 25 moves without a prior assurance, under § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II no needs for accommodation and heating at all are recognised until they turn 25. The local authority is, however, obliged to give the assurance if serious social reasons rule out staying in the parents' home, if moving into the accommodation is necessary for integration into the labour market, or if there is another, similarly serious reason.

Two authorities, two applications – for every move across a city boundary. Under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 SGB II, the authority responsible until the move is responsible for the costs of securing new accommodation and the moving costs, while the authority at the new place of residence is responsible for the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares. Anyone who applies for both benefits at only one body risks a refusal for lack of an assurance from the competent authority, even though they took care of things in good time.

When moving to a different comparison area, you have a binding entitlement to the assurance. § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 2 SGB II provides that the authority responsible for the new accommodation assures that the costs will be recognised, provided they are reasonable. The word “assures” leaves no discretion: if the costs are reasonable, there is an entitlement to the assurance – regardless of whether the authority considers the move sensible.

An unnecessary move within the same comparison area: capped at your previous need. Under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 4 SGB II, at most your previous accommodation need is recognised if you move within the same area used for the reasonableness assessment and the move is not or was not necessary. You then have to pay the difference to the new rent permanently out of your standard needs – even if the new accommodation would be reasonable taken on its own.

The grace period does not protect you without limit. In the first twelve months of receiving benefits, the actual accommodation costs are generally recognised in full. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II, however, draws a line: costs are not recognised to the extent that they are more than one and a half times as high as the abstractly reasonable costs. Before moving during the grace period, work out whether the new rent stays below this limit.

Don't forget the housing cooperative shares. § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 SGB II names them expressly alongside the rent security deposit. Anyone renting from a housing cooperative must subscribe compulsory shares, which can quickly reach several hundred euros. Apply for the loan for this at the same time as the deposit loan, with the authority at your new place of residence, otherwise you will have to pay for the shares out of your standard needs.

The deposit is a loan, not a gift. Under § 42a Abs. 2 Satz 1 SGB II, from the month after payment, 5% of the applicable standard needs is offset monthly – in 2026, that means €28.15 with standard needs of €563. This offsetting must be declared in writing by administrative act under Satz 3. Check this notice: if the start of repayment has been calculated incorrectly, or if offsetting is already happening elsewhere, an objection is worthwhile.

Repayment of the deposit by the landlord makes the remaining amount immediately due. § 42a Abs. 3 Satz 1 SGB II provides for immediate payment in full as soon as the deposit or the housing cooperative shares are repaid. The same applies under § 42a Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II once your receipt of benefits ends. Budget for this amount, rather than spending it as a reserve.

You are allowed to pay the deposit in three instalments. Under § 551 Abs. 2 BGB, a tenant paying a cash security is entitled to three equal monthly instalments; the first instalment is due at the start of the tenancy. This gives you breathing room if the notice on the deposit loan has not yet arrived – tell the landlord in writing about this statutory right to pay in instalments.

A self-organised move improves your chances of approval. The local authority only covers reasonable costs and decides at its discretion. A carefully calculated move with a hire van and helpers is usually cheaper than a removal company and is therefore approved more often and more quickly. Which rates are applied for a hire van, fuel, boxes or compensation for helpers depends on the competent authority – ask for the guideline before you book.

Two deadlines run in parallel after the move. The Anmeldung (residence registration) at your new address must be made within two weeks under § 17 Abs. 1 BMG, for which you need the landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) under § 19 BMG. Towards the Jobcenter, you have an obligation under § 60 Abs. 1 SGB I to report all changes relevant to your benefits without delay – this includes your address, the tenancy agreement, the rent amount and heating costs.

Common mistakes and their consequences

Signed the tenancy agreement before the assurance

Consequence: moving costs, the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares are lost completely, because the prior assurance is a condition of entitlement under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II. The reasonable rent will still be covered, but costs higher than reasonable will not, under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 3 SGB II. Ask the landlord for a non-binding draft instead of signing.

Moved out under 25 without an assurance

Consequence: under § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II, no needs for accommodation and heating at all are recognised until you turn 25. You then have to pay the full rent, including service charges, out of your standard needs for years. Be sure to get the assurance beforehand and prove the reasons under § 22 Abs. 5 Satz 2 SGB II.

Applied for the deposit at the old Jobcenter

Consequence: an application to the wrong authority does not satisfy the condition. Under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 SGB II, only the authority at the place of the new accommodation can give the assurance for the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares. The refusal often only comes once the move has already taken place – by then the assurance can no longer be obtained retroactively, and the money is lost.

Instructed a removal company without cost estimates

Consequence: only reasonable costs are recognised; you bear the difference between the invoice and the amount approved yourself. Get several quotes, submit them before placing the order, and wait for the notice. Also check whether your authority prefers a self-organised move and has fixed rates for it.

Renovated the old accommodation without approval

Consequence: renovation costs can only be recognised with a prior assurance, and only if there is a valid obligation under the tenancy agreement. Anyone who redecorates beforehand is left to pay the costs themselves. Produce the cosmetic repairs clause from the old tenancy agreement – many such clauses are, moreover, invalid under case law, meaning there is no obligation at all.

Advanced the deposit out of the standard needs

Consequence: a later refund is generally excluded, because the assurance under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II must already be in place beforehand. You are then left with a shortfall of several hundred euros in that month. Use the right to pay in instalments under § 551 Abs. 2 BGB instead, and apply for the loan in good time.

Did not report the landlord's repayment of the deposit

Consequence: under § 42a Abs. 3 Satz 1 SGB II, the loan amount not yet repaid falls due immediately in full as soon as the landlord pays out the deposit. Anyone who keeps the money and does not report the payment risks a demand for reimbursement and being accused of breaching the obligation to cooperate under § 60 SGB I.

Only obtained a verbal promise at the counter

Consequence: § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 3 SGB II expressly requires an assurance given in advance and in writing. Without a written notice, you have no proof if there is a dispute, and a file note made by the caseworker does not replace it. Insist on a written notice before you sign the tenancy agreement.

Moved within the same comparison area without necessity

Consequence: under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 4 SGB II, at most your previous need is recognised. You pay the difference to the new rent permanently yourself, even if the new accommodation would be reasonable taken on its own. Document in writing before the move, therefore, why it is necessary – for example because of starting a job, health reasons, or a new family member.

Letting the objection deadline lapse

Consequence: once a month has passed (§ 84 Abs. 1 SGG), the notice of rejection becomes final. After that, only an application for review under § 44 SGB X can help, and this can generally no longer make up for a missing assurance for a move that has already taken place. If necessary, lodge the objection to meet the deadline, without a statement of reasons, and submit the reasons afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to ask the Jobcenter before moving?

Yes, you should always get the assurance before signing the new tenancy agreement. However, § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II is a “should” provision (Soll-Vorschrift) and not an obligation carrying a fine: anyone who moves without an assurance does not automatically lose the accommodation costs. For moving costs, the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II, by contrast, the prior assurance is a genuine condition of entitlement – here, moving without an assurance really does lead to complete loss.

What happens if I moved without an assurance?

The legal consequence is graduated, not a single blanket rule. Under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 3 SGB II, only costs higher than reasonable are not recognised; the Jobcenter continues to pay the reasonable rent. If you move within the same comparison area without necessity, at most your previous need is recognised under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 4 SGB II. Moving costs and the deposit are lost entirely, and for persons under 25, under § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II no accommodation costs at all are recognised until they turn 25.

Does the Jobcenter have to approve the move if I take up a job?

There is no unconditional entitlement to approval. § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 2 SGB II provides that the assurance should be given if the move is caused by the local authority or necessary for other reasons, and if, without the assurance, no accommodation could be found within a reasonable period. A “should” provision binds the authority in the normal case, but allows atypical exceptions. A genuine obligation to give the assurance only exists under § 22 Abs. 5 Satz 2 SGB II for persons under 25.

Does the Jobcenter cover the rent security deposit?

Yes, with a prior assurance from the local authority responsible at the place of the new accommodation. Under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 3 SGB II, the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares should be provided as a loan; SGB II does not provide for interest, so the loans are interest-free. The amount is limited under tenancy law: under § 551 Abs. 1 BGB, the security may amount to no more than three times the rent for one month, excluding the service charges shown as a flat rate or advance payment.

How is the deposit loan repaid?

For as long as you receive benefits to secure your subsistence, the loan is repaid under § 42a Abs. 2 Satz 1 SGB II from the month after payment, by monthly offsetting equal to 5% of the applicable standard needs – with standard needs of €563, that means €28.15 a month. If the landlord repays the deposit, the amount not yet repaid falls due immediately in full under § 42a Abs. 3 Satz 1 SGB II; the same applies under § 42a Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II once your receipt of benefits ends.

Which Jobcenter is responsible if I move to a different city?

In this case, two authorities are involved. Under § 22 Abs. 6 Satz 1 SGB II, the local authority with local jurisdiction until the move gives the assurance for the costs of securing new accommodation and the moving costs, while the authority responsible at the place of the new accommodation gives the assurance for the rent security deposit and housing cooperative shares. Under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II, the authority at the new place of residence is likewise responsible for recognising the future accommodation costs. So submit two applications to two authorities in good time.

How much does the Jobcenter pay for moving transport?

The amount depends on the competent authority. § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II names no amounts; the costs covered are the reasonable costs proven in the individual case, in line with the guidelines of the local authority. In practice, many Jobcenters ask for several cost estimates and prefer a self-organised move with a hire van and helpers; there are no nationwide flat rates for transport, boxes or helpers.

Do special rules apply to people under 25?

Yes, and in fact the strictest rules in the whole of § 22 SGB II. If persons under 25 move without a prior assurance from the local authority, under § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II no needs for accommodation and heating at all are recognised until they turn 25. The authority is, however, obliged to give the assurance if serious social reasons rule out staying in the parents' home, if moving into the accommodation is necessary for integration into the labour market, or if there is another, similarly serious reason.

Does the Jobcenter cover double rent when moving?

There is no statutory entitlement to one month of double rent; this situation is not regulated in SGB II. However, an unavoidable overlap between the old and new tenancies can be recognised as part of the costs of securing new accommodation under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II, if you get the assurance beforehand and the overlap was demonstrably unavoidable. Whether, and to what extent, it is covered depends on the competent authority.

What can I do if the assurance is refused?

Against the notice of rejection, you can lodge an objection within one month of notification under § 84 Abs. 1 SGG, and give the specific reasons why the move is necessary. If time is pressing because the accommodation would otherwise be let to someone else, an application for interim relief at the Sozialgericht (social court) under § 86b Abs. 2 SGG should also be considered. Proceedings before the social court are free of court costs for persons entitled to benefits under § 183 SGG.