Unemployment: A Forced Time off

The terms unemployed, jobless refer to people who are looking for a paid job and do not find one. Unemployed people are normally registered as such at the labor agency, while there is a number of silent unemployed that are not registered because they are not entitled to unemployment benefit, or do not expect to be supported, or do not want to be denoted unemployed.

For the first two months from the date of loss of the job, a person gets unemployment benefit I, with the amount depending on the last income/salary. If no new job is found within that period, unemployment benefit II is paid since Hartz IV. Also, the labor agency supports self-employment with the starting subvention, which replaces former “Überbrückungsgeld” and “Ich-AG”. Besides the labor agency, today, there some other institutions and networks concerned with unemployment and supporting and aiding the unemployed. Some of them are focused on groups like long-term unemployed, academics, women, and unemployed aged 50 plus.

Tips, Checklist

• Immediately report unemployed at the labor agency once you know about your dismissal
• Use opportunities of working in mini-jobs to find jobs for permanent employment
• Connect to other unemployed for regular exchange, encouragement, and information
• Check-in how far you are suited for self-employment