Since July 1, 2026, the new basic social security (Grundsicherung) has replaced the previous citizen's benefit (Bürgergeld), leading to significant uncertainty within society. The reform aims to accelerate job placement and tighten sanctions. A central point of criticism is the elimination of the grace period (Karenzzeit), meaning benefit recipients must now utilize their assets starting from the very first day. The new asset allowances are tiered by age, with younger individuals having lower allowances than older ones. Sociologist Dorothee Spannagel criticizes these measures, stating they serve less as a cost-saving measure and more as a signal of a stricter welfare state. This is triggering fears particularly within the middle class, as concerns regarding social descent due to inflation and crises continue to rise. Critics also argue that the regulations could jeopardize social cohesion by pitting different social groups against one another.