The German government has declared a caveat against the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance from 1953, concerning the access of citizens of other member states of the treaty to benefits of social welfare given by the Jobcenter (SGB II or Hartz IV) – Leistungen), thus effectively cancelling the treaty for anybody who is physically able to work.
The Jobcenter are now denying many claims and applications from EU-Citizens from e.g. Spain and Greece due to the new rule.
The legality of that caveat and the exclusion of EU-Citizens from social assistance is very much in dispute and it is highly recommended to take action against negative decisions by the Jobcenter by appealing to the Jobcenter (Widerspruch) and seeking urgent relief from the Courts of Social Law (Sozialgericht).