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:
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.https://web.archive.org/web/20250206180545
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.
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
Social law is an umbrella term for a variety of different legal areas and is therefore not contained in a single legal code but in many different legal frameworks. This is understandable, as social law must encompass a wide range of various life situations.
Unlike other legal areas, social law is one of the most contentious because decisions in social law often have existential impacts on the lives of affected individuals.
For this reason, social courts are among the busiest courts in Germany. This also applies to the Social Court in Cologne. The jurisdiction of the Cologne Social Court includes the independent cities of Bonn and Cologne, as well as the districts of Euskirchen, Rhein-Erft, Oberberg, Rheinisch-Berg, and Rhein-Sieg.
As a law firm based in Cologne, the firm is not only a point of contact for clients residing in the Cologne area but also for those in the surrounding districts.
If you are unable to cover the costs for our consultation and representation, we are, of course, also prepared to advise and represent you under the framework of legal aid or litigation aid.
Below are some key areas of focus in social law:
Citizen’s Income consultation now represents the largest portion of the firm’s social law practice. The regulations, viewed by many affected individuals as extremely unjust, and the chronic understaffing of job centers make seeking a social law attorney unavoidable for many recipients of Citizen’s Income.
With the introduction of SGB II, the former unemployment assistance was abolished, and unemployment and social assistance were merged. However, the benefits provided under SGB II remain at the level of the previous social assistance.
The aid regulated under SGB II can include financial benefits for daily living expenses (the standard rate), rent, initial furnishing of an apartment, and various additional needs.
Under the principle of “promote and demand,” recipients are repeatedly invited by the job center, and failure to attend these appointments often leads to sanctions or threats of sanctions. Accepting or refusing job offers, as well as the application measures required of recipients, frequently become points of contention with the job center. Another point of dispute is the question of what income and assets a recipient must utilize before receiving benefits.
If you feel unfairly treated by the job center and want to assert your rights, whether out of court or through legal action or a preliminary injunction, contact attorney Helmer Tieben to discuss how to proceed in your case.
Another key area of the firm’s social law practice is advising on the regulations of SGB XII. SGB XII governs benefits for individuals who are not able to work and the basic income support for the elderly and individuals with reduced earning capacity. In short, benefits under SGB XII are provided to individuals who are at least 65 years old or at least 18 and fully incapacitated. As with SGB II, the grant of benefits by the provider depends on the income and assets of the individual.
SGB XII also regulates integration assistance for disabled people (§§ 53–60) and blind assistance (§ 72).
Attorney Helmer Tieben frequently advises and represents clients in matters concerning health insurance, whether it involves clarifying what portion the health insurance provider must cover or addressing cases of poor advice given by the health insurer.
The legal foundation of statutory health insurance is SGB V. Under SGB V, insured individuals are entitled to benefits for medical rehabilitation as well as income support and other supplementary services necessary to prevent, mitigate, or alleviate a disability or need for long-term care.
If you have problems with your health insurance and wish to assert your rights, feel free to contact attorney Helmer Tieben by phone or email for assistance.
Due to demographic changes, long-term care insurance is becoming increasingly important. The principles under which people in need of care, who require support due to the severity of their care needs, are entitled to solidarity-based assistance are governed by SGB XI.
Disputes often arise over the classification of care levels for individuals in need of care, which can lead to out-of-court or judicial disputes.
If you have issues with your long-term care insurance, contact attorney Helmer Tieben to work together on finding a solution.
Disability law is regulated under SGB IX and encompasses all legal regulations regarding the rehabilitation and participation of disabled individuals. Disability law is particularly relevant in employment law, especially when people with disabilities or those with equivalent status face dismissal.
If you feel disadvantaged due to your disability, or if you wish to be recognized as severely disabled or considered as such and are being denied this, contact attorney Helmer Tieben for assistance.
SGB VI regulates the law of statutory pension insurance. Attorney Helmer Tieben is happy to advise you on any claims that may arise under SGB VI. A significant topic is early retirement, including pensions due to partial or full incapacity.
Partial incapacity pensions are regulated in § 43(1) SGB VI, and full incapacity pensions in § 43(2) SGB VI.
If your application for a pension due to partial or full incapacity has been rejected, or if you wish to file an appeal or take legal action, attorney Helmer Tieben is ready to represent you. Just give us a call.
The aforementioned legal areas are not the only ones in which the firm offers services. Additional areas include statutory accident insurance under SGB VII.
If your issue is not covered by the areas discussed above but you believe it falls within the scope of social law, contact attorney Helmer Tieben to determine if he can assist you.
If you need social law advice, call us at 0221 – 80187670 or email us at info@mth-partner.de.
Mr Helmer Tieben has been licensed as a lawyer since 2005. His work focuses on tenancy law, labour law and immigration law.
Lawyer Tieben, Sachsenring 34, 50677 Cologne
Telephone: 0221 - 80187670
Fax: 0221 - 2717110
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