At what stage does my Asyl benefits as Asylum seeker comes to the end?

Question

I came to Germany in 2017 as an Asylum seeker. And in 2019, I started Ausbildung als kfz Mechatroniker while waiting for decision from my Asylum application. The decision turned out negative but I appealed it. In 2020, while in second year of my Ausbildung,I had to move to a new city where my workshop is situated because if the long distance from my former city. It happened that I took up an apartment because of the noisy nature of the Asylum camp. But the social office of the new city, accepted to assist me with the half payment of the rent. Remember, my appeal wasn't yet decided. So I begged the social of the new city to please assist me with provision of at least a bed or mattress, cooking intensils because I had no property nor money to procure those amenities that make up an apartment. No table, absolutely nothing was in the apartment. The social refused to assist me. I then turned to Agentur für Arbeit through the BAB. Berufs Ausbildung Beihilfe. I laid my complains to them and they understood with me. They started giving me 230 Euro monthly and the social was paying half of the rent. It was then I was able to get a bed, reading table, washing machine and cooking intensils. My appeal later turned negative as well but before then, I was already in 3rd year of my Ausbildung. I successfully finished my Ausbildung Last year January 2023.I now have my Aufenthaltserlaubnis, and working. All of a sudden, the same social that refused to assist me, has turned out to demand repayment of all the money they assisted me as regards rent after they found out that I got assisted from the Agentur für Arbeit.They are giving me a total estimate of around 3200 Euro. Everyday I keep receiving threats from them, that they will take me to court or block my account. I moved to another city late last year and now, they have written to the Bürgermeister of my current city saying that I am indebted to them. The Bürgermeister of my current city, just wrote me today asking me to pay the money. It's becoming frustrating, and life is gradually getting bitter for me. Does it mean that, I should have remained uncomplianed and stay in an empty apartment because I chose to better myself and be more useful to the society I found myself? Does taking an apartment outside the social house, relinquish my right of having a bed for sleeping? Please, how should I go about this issue. It surprises how some people shows animosity towards Refugees. Who should I complain to?

Answer 1

Dear @Freetown, 

Welcome to the Wefugees Community and thank you for reaching out to us. 

First of all, congratulations to your completed "Ausbildung" - this is a very big and important step! 

Regarding the situation described, I can totally comprehend your struggle and your need back then to furnish your apartment. But as far as I understand, you did not inform the "Sozialamt" about the Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB) which you received as an additional allowance. This would have been necessary as the Sozialamt then would have been recalculating your income and subsequently your needs. Asylum seeker benefits are paid out on a subordinate basis. Unfortunately, regardless whether it's "Bürgergeld" or asylum seeker benefits, the social money will always take into account any income of an applicant (and adjust the social money accordingly). 

Maybe you can approach it this way, in an emergency situation you were able to set up a home for yourself. Now you earn money and can pay it back like a loan. This does not mean that I encourage cheating the authorities (as this can have severe consequences). However, as you did not know about your obligations, I would just try to sort it out as quickly as possible. You may ask a counselling office for support in the negotiations i.e. in terms of an installment agreement. They can also check with you if the demands/the sum is actually correct. 

In any case, please don't hesitate to get back to us with any further questions. 

All the best, 

Meike