As a SGB II benefit recipient, you are obliged to do everything you can to reduce or end your need for assistance. You therefore have obligations, such as attending appointments, participating in measures, and making your own efforts to find work. If you fail to meet your obligations, this constitutes a breach of duty, which will result in a reduction in your benefits. If you fail to report, i.e., you have missed an appointment at the job center, your benefits will be reduced by 10% for one month.
If you breach your obligations in other ways, e.g., you drop out of a program or fail to show up for work without excuse, your benefits will be reduced. The amount and duration of the reduction depend on the type of breach. For a first-time breach, your benefits will be reduced by 10% of your standard benefit for one month. For the first repeated breach of duty within one year of the first breach of duty, benefits will be reduced by 20% of the standard benefit to which you are entitled for 2 months. Each further breach of duty within one year will result in a reduction of 30% of the standard benefit to which you are entitled for 3 months.
You will be given a hearing before any reduction in benefits. This will give you the opportunity to comment on the facts of the case and, if necessary, to explain important reasons for your behavior. If there are important reasons, your benefits will not be reduced.