Social law is the generic term for a large number of different areas of law and is therefore not set out in a single set of rules, but in many different sets of rules. This is also understandable, as social law has to cover a large number of different life situations.

Unlike any other area of law, social law is also one of the most contentious areas of law, as in many cases social law decisions have an existential impact on the livelihood of the people concerned.

For this reason, the social courts are among the busiest courts in Germany. This also applies to the Social Court in Cologne. The court district of the Social Court in Cologne includes the area of the independent cities of Bonn and Cologne, the district of Euskirchen, the Rhein-Erft district, the Oberberg district, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Rhein-Sieg district.

As a law firm based in Cologne, the firm is therefore not only the point of contact for clients residing in the city district of Cologne, but also in the districts neighbouring Cologne.

If you are not in a position to bear the costs of our advice and representation, we are of course also prepared to advise and represent you within the framework of counselling assistance or legal aid.

Some of the main areas of social law are presented below:

I. Basic income support for jobseekers/SGB II/citizen's allowance

Citizens' allowance counselling now represents the largest part of the law firm's work in social law. The regulations, which many of those affected consider to be extremely unfair, and the chronic understaffing of the job centres mean that many recipients of Citizen's Allowance have no choice but to consult a lawyer specialising in social law.

With the introduction of SGB II, the previous unemployment benefit was abolished and unemployment benefit and social assistance were merged. However, the benefits under SGB II are at the same level as the previous social assistance.

The assistance regulated in SGB II can include, in particular, cash benefits for daily living expenses (the standard rate), rent, initial furnishings for a flat and a number of additional requirements.

In accordance with the principle of promoting and demanding, those affected are repeatedly invited by the job centre and threatened with sanctions if they fail to attend appointments, and in some cases sanctions are imposed. The acceptance or rejection of job offers and the application measures required of benefit recipients are also repeatedly the subject of disputes with the job centre. Another point of contention is the question of which income and which assets the benefit recipient must use before receiving benefits.

If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by the job centre and would like to enforce your rights, either out of court or in court through a lawsuit or injunction, contact Helmer Tieben, lawyer, so that he can decide together with you how to proceed in your case.

II Basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity/SGB XII

Another focus of our work in social law is advising on the provisions of SGB XII. SGB XII regulates the benefits paid to social welfare recipients who are not able to work as well as the basic security benefits in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity. In short, benefits under SGB XII are paid to people who are at least 65 years old or at least 18 years old and fully disabled. Here too, the benefits granted by the benefit provider depend on the income and assets of the person concerned.

SGB XII also includes the Integration assistance for people with disabilities (§§ 53-60) and assistance for the blind (§ 72).

III. health insurance law/SGB V

Mr Tieben also frequently advises and represents clients in dealings with health insurance companies. Be it whether clarification is necessary, what proportion the health insurance has to coveror if, for example, it is about a Incorrect counselling by the health insurance company goes.

The legal basis for statutory health insurance is SGB V. According to SGB V, insured persons are entitled to medical rehabilitation benefits as well as maintenance and other supplementary benefits that are necessary to avert, eliminate or minimise a disability or the need for care, to prevent a deterioration or to mitigate its consequences.

If you have problems with your health insurance company and want to enforce your rights, please contact Mr Helmer Tieben, lawyer, by phone or email so that he can assist you.

IV. Long-term care insurance/SGB XI

Due to demographic change, long-term care insurance is becoming increasingly important. The principles according to which people in need of care who are dependent on solidarity-based support due to the severity of their need for care are regulated in SGB XI.

In particular the question, which care level a person in need of care receivesis repeatedly the subject of extrajudicial and/or judicial disputes.

If you have any problems with your long-term care insurance, please contact Mr Helmer Tieben immediately so that he can work with you to find a solution.

V. Rehabilitation and participation of people with disabilities/SGB IX

The law on severely disabled persons is regulated in SGB IX and includes all legal regulations on the rehabilitation and participation of disabled persons. Severely disabled persons law is particularly relevant in labour law, if people who are severely disabled or equivalent are to be dismissed.

If you have been discriminated against because of your severe disability or would like to be recognised as a severely disabled person or be treated as such and are denied this, call Mr Helmer Tieben, lawyer, so that he can help you.

VI Pension law/SGB VI

SGB VI regulates the law governing statutory pension insurance. Mr Helmer Tieben will be happy to advise you on all claims that may arise for you from SGB VI. A major topic is, for example, early retirement, i.e. pension due to partial or full reduction in earning capacity.

The pension due to Partial reduction in earning capacity is defined in § 43 para. 1 SGB VI, the Pension due to full reduction in earning capacity is regulated in § 43 para. 2 SGB VI.

If your pension application for partial or full reduction in earning capacity has been rejected, would you like to lodge an appeal against the rejection or file a complaint? Mr Helmer Tieben will be happy to represent you. Just give us a call.

VII. Other areas of law

The areas of law mentioned above are of course not the only ones in which you can utilise the services of our law firm. Others include, for example, statutory accident insurance in accordance with SGB VII.

If your problem is not covered by the above statements, but in your opinion is still of a social law nature, please contact Mr Helmer Tieben, lawyer, so that he can tell you whether he can also help you there.

Contact Us

If you need social law advice, please call us without obligation on 0221 - 80187670 or send us an email at or send an email to info@mth-partner.de info@mth-partner.de