Abstract

An explorative study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) showed that a significant proportion of SGB II (Social Code II) recipients present a psychiatric diagnosis. The aim of this study is now to examine the problems of these benefit recipients differentiated according to symptoms. Furthermore, job centers’ support of these people should be investigated to give advices for possible improvements. The investigation takes place in eight job centers, three of them being authorised municipalities. Problematic situations, previous work experience, experience with job centers, expectations at care and support as well as wishes concerning recipients’ own future will be collected by means of qualitative interviews. At the same time, expert interviews in job centers and psychosocial institutions shall serve to figure out which support services are available for the benefit recipients and if there is any cooperation between the institutions. In addition to this analysis, ways to improve the support of mentally ill benefit recipients in the Social Code II are to be demonstrated.