Abstract

This research paper is based on the findings of an explorative study, conducted on behalf of the IAB by the University of Halle in cooperation with the Aktion Psychisch Kranke e. V Bonn. The  combination of literary studies and secondary analyses of health insurance companies’ databases suggests a significant incidence of psychiatric diagnoses among recipients of unemployment benefit II. Expert interviews held at five different locations have revealed different standards regarding the support, care and treatment of this group of people as well as different forms of cooperation between Job Centers and the respective offers concerning support measures for mentally ill job seekers. The support measures included within the legislation of the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II) are hardly capable of satisfying the specific requirements and needs of mentally ill welfare recipients regarding long term, dependable and individual care and aid measures.