Customers can raise their concerns by phone and online
This approach has proven to be an effective way to ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees. We have increased our availability by transferring staff from other departments (e.g. employment services) to our customer service centres and reinforcing our regional hotline teams.
Some personal appointments to be scheduled again over the coming weeks
The local Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter branches will start to schedule personal appointments again in some cases over the coming weeks. Some of our facilities are being converted and fitted with additional service desks that will meet the mandatory hygiene standards and ensure everyone’s health and safety.
In the meantime, our customers can continue to raise almost all their concerns by phone or online. However, personal appointments will be offered in emergencies if customers have legally compelling reasons for visiting a local branch in person. If this is the case, the local Agentur für Arbeit and Jobcenter branches will schedule an appointment with customers.
Otherwise, all regulations introduced since 18 March will continue to apply. Until further notice, customers will still be able to register as unemployed over the phone, and a personal appointment may be scheduled at a later date if necessary. Applications for cash benefits can be made online at http://www.arbeitsagentur.de.
Payment of cash benefits is our top priority
The most important task assumed by the BA at this challenging time is the reliable payment of cash benefits to ensure people’s livelihoods, including short-time working allowance, unemployment benefits, basic security benefits and all family-related benefits. The money is being transferred to customers’ accounts as usual, and a special desk has been set up at our local branches for emergencies.