Citizen’s benefit recipient criticizes the job center – “rarely stupid”

The RTL2 documentary “Hartz Rot Gold” follows people from socially disadvantaged areas. One of the protagonists is 42-year-old Stephan. Together with his dog Socke, he lives from day to day and keeps himself afloat with citizen’s money.

In the episode “Dreams Shattered,” Stephan has to cope with a bitter setback. After paying a visit to the job center in Bremen, the recipient of the citizen’s benefit was disappointed.

Citizen’s benefit recipient has clear ideas

Work full time and live in the same apartment for years? This is not for Stephan. At the time the episode in question was filmed, he was homeless and sleeping with his dog Socke on a friend’s couch. In order to stop living on borrowed money, the 42-year-old turns to the job center.

+++ Citizen’s benefit recipient is on the verge of homelessness with his two-year-old daughter – “Let down” +++

After a short time he receives his first citizen’s benefit payment. But Stephan is already thinking ahead. Instead of an apartment, he would like the office to finance a mobile home and parking space. According to him, it is so much cheaper and he would have more freedom. But the job center is not at all enthusiastic about his idea.

Citizen’s benefit recipient receives rejection

The citizen’s benefit recipient comes stomping out after his appointment with a serious expression. “Nothing good will come of it.” They don’t want to do that and have turned me down. Rarely stupid. If I had seen that at the job center, I would have said ‘Come on, let’s do it.’ (…) I would have to work for the job center,” said the 42-year-old.

+++ Citizen’s benefit recipient calls in sick at the job center – receipt follows immediately +++

We have put together more news for you here today:

RTL2 will show the episodes of “Hartz, Rot, Gold” in the TV program from January 6, 2025 from Monday to Friday at 4:05 p.m. The episodes are also available in the media library on RTL+.