JobCenter calls for 16 years old debts - a scandal for Paul!

JobCenter calls for 16 years old debts - a scandal for Paul!

An incredible case shakes Berlin: Paul*, a citizen benefit recipient from Pankow, receives a payment request from the job center after 16 years! Suddenly the collection service demands 380.95 euros back - a sum that is due to a payment from 2008. "I thought it was a joke when I opened the letter," reports Paul in horror. The job center's demand comes into the face like a slap - especially because the deposit in question has long been transferred for an apartment.

Is that the common hammer of the authority? Paul lived from Hartz IV at the time and received support for his rental deposit, which went to a special rental deposit account - an account that only the landlord could access. According to Paul, this payment of 777 euros was made without any problems. But now, after so many years, the monetary claims have appeared like out of nowhere. "After 16 years to get a decision about a payment is a scandal!" he calls full of anger.

authority leaves questions unanswered

The job center's reaction to Paul's attempts to clarify the matter by email was anything but helpful. Instead of responding to his questions, he received a new letter with the threat of attachment. "How can they dare to make demands after such a long time? Who still has the evidence after 16 years?" Asks Paul. Even the limitation period, which is normally four years, does not seem to comment on the Situation, which makes the situation even more puzzling.

"I have great concerns that my data are still stored in your systems," says Paul. According to the Federal Employment Agency, there should be a storage period of a maximum of ten years - a deadline that should have long since passed in its case. "It is a cheek that the authority spends millions for employable immigrants while sending such letters from Germans in need," he concludes frustrated. The Pankow job center was requested, but did not react to the allegations until the first publication.