C2 · 43 words

Social security law

Contributions, need and objections: the words on which a German benefit decision turns.

German social law runs on two logics that are easily confused: insurance pays because contributions were made, welfare pays because there is need. Most of this list belongs to one side or the other. One phrase belongs to neither and trips up nearly every English reader: sozial schwach. It does not describe someone shy or awkward in company — that is gehemmt or ungesellig. German sozial rarely means sociable at all; it points to a person’s position in society, and in this phrase above all to income. Sozial schwache Familien are low-income families. Because the phrase quietly equates having little money with being weak, careful writers now prefer einkommensschwach. This list explains words, not anybody’s legal position.

The words

Verb (3)

aufstockento top up (low earnings with benefits)VerbC1

Weil ihr Lohn nicht reicht, stockt sie ihn mit Sozialleistungen auf.Because her wages are not enough, she tops them up with benefits.

Separable: stockt auf, aufgestockt. Colloquially der Aufstocker for someone who does this.

gewährento grant (a benefit, formally)VerbC1

Die Behörde gewährt die Beihilfe nur auf Antrag.The authority grants the allowance only on application.

Takes the dative of the person: jemandem etwas gewähren.

zurückfordernto reclaim (money already paid)VerbC1

Das Amt hat die zu viel gezahlten Beträge zurückgefordert.The office has reclaimed the amounts paid in excess.

Separable: fordert zurück, zurückgefordert.

This list belongs to Offices, law and the state — 33 lists and 1372 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 43 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.