The Federal Employment Agency has gradually been expanding its online services in recent years. The new digital applications provide support to Federal Employee Agency customers in an increasing number of aspects of everyday life, and allow customers to get in touch with Federal Employment Agency offices around the clock.
With this new development, customers of the 300 Jobcenters that work with the Federal Employment Agency are now able to use the customer app. Since 14 January, the new “Jobcenter app” has been available to download for all Jobcenter customers from all standard app stores.
Secure and data privacy compliant communications with the Jobcenter
The app also makes an important contribution to the expansion of secure online communications with the Federal Employment Agency. Alongside the online portal, the customer apps represent a secure alternative to sending emails when corresponding with customers. The Federal Employment Agency has decided to gradually reduce email correspondence with its customers to ensure that sensitive, personal data enjoys an even better degree of protection.
Andrea Nahles, CEO of the Federal Employment Agency: “We are providing out customers with yet another digital service with the release of the new Jobcenter app. The app is easy to use and adapted to the circumstances and requirements of its users, who we also consulted during its development. In addition to uploading documents, the app enables fast and secure communications with the Jobcenter. Compared to emails, inbox messages are quicker to process by the Jobcenter, offer more security and, first and foremost, comply with data protection regulations.”
Not only do customers receive immediate confirmation that their uploaded document has been received, with the inbox function, customers also receive quick responses to their enquiries on the same communication channel.
Stefan Latuski, CIO of the Federal Employment Agency: “The introduction of the JC app is also lightening the workload for our staff at the Jobcenters. The app ensures that every enquiry sent in the correspondence between a customer eligible for benefits and the Jobcenter ends up with the right person. Messages are sent straight to the responsible adviser without any detours,eliminating the need for emails to be opened and forwarded manually. The app has therefore reduced staff workloads, giving them more time to advise customers.”
Submitting applications, communicating changes, searching for jobs – the JC app offers a variety of functions
The app has two main sections: “My Jobcenter” and “My section”. Customers can enter their postcode in “My JobCenter”. The app then automatically displays information on the Jobcenter responsible for the customer. All the key contact details as well as information on events and opening times are provided. Information on regional applications, support services and other services can also be found here.
When customers log in to “My section” using their login details, they gain access to all of the functions available on the app: they can submit applications, view the status of submitted applications, update their information and arrange appointments. The app also offers quick access to the job search function as well as a secure and data protection-compliant upload function for data and documents.
The app is being further developed on an agile basis, taking feedback from both the customers and the staff at the Jobcenters into account.
More information on the Jobcenter app is available in the corresponding app stores or at: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/apps/jobcenter-app