Can citizen's income be seized?

Key facts about the seizure of citizen's income

In general, social benefits , which include citizen's allowance , are protected from seizure. This is regulated in the Social Code (SGB) to ensure that the necessary means of subsistence cannot be taken away by creditors. However, there are certain exceptions that must be observed.

The legal framework: Can citizen's income be seized?

The citizen's allowance is protected from seizure by creditors. This is laid down in Section 42 Paragraph 4 of the Social Security Code II, which states that claims to benefits to secure a livelihood may not be seized. Exceptions exist for maintenance claims , public claims or certain tax debts.

Can the back payment of citizen's allowance be seized?

Yes, back payments of citizen's allowance can also be seized under certain circumstances if the seizure protection limit is exceeded. The exemption amount is currently 1,410 euros. Without a P-account, there is a risk that back payments will be seized.

How can you avoid having your citizen's income seized?

A seizure protection account (P-account) offers the most effective protection against seizures. It ensures that a certain allowance - including citizen's allowance - remains available every month. The allowances can be increased by maintenance obligations to ensure additional protection.

How to set up your P-account

A P-account is set up at your bank and must be implemented within four business days of the application being submitted. It is strongly recommended that you set up a P-account early to ensure protection against seizure.

Should a P-account be set up after a seizure has taken place?

Yes, even after a seizure, it makes sense to convert to a P-account. You can even apply for the conversion retroactively for up to four weeks . This means that seizures for past periods can be protected, provided the deadlines are met.