Unemployment & job search

Don't have enough money to finance your living expenses? You can and would like to work, but can't find a job at the moment? Or you have a small income, but it's not enough? If any of these apply to your life situation, you will find suitable offers of help on this page.

Eine illustrierte Figur sitzt vor einem Computer.

Contents of this page

Eine Zeitung mit Stellenanzeigen.

Here you will find support services on the subject of unemployment and job search.

  1. Financial support
  2. Employment assistance for Citizen's benefit recipients
  3. For employers and the self-employed

1. financial support

Illustration des Wegweisers. Er kommt aus dem Bildschirm eines großen Monitors. Seine linke Hand hält eine Dokumentenmappe, mit der rechten hält er ein Megafon. Vor dem Monitor liegen Arbeitsutensilien wie Arbeitshelme, Werkzeuge und Aktenordner sowie eine Kochmütze

Unemployment benefit

Unemployment benefit helps you if you lose your job or training. It replaces part of your missing income and helps you to secure your livelihood. You normally receive the benefit for up to 12 months. After that, you can apply for Citizen's benefit. You can find more information here.

Illustration der Wegweiserin. Sie spielt mit einem Fußball. Neben ihr steht ein Rucksack. Unter dem linken Arm trägt sie zwei Bücher.

Education and participation

Children, teenagers and young adults should have the same opportunities in Germany. Education and participation in social and cultural life are important prerequisites for equal opportunities. This is why the state promotes education and participation benefits, also known as the education and participation package. You can find out more here.

Illustration des Wegweisers. Vor ihm steht ein voller Einkaufskorb, dahinter sieht man ein Schild, auf dem Kasse steht. Eine Gedankenblase zeigt ein Haus.

Citizen's benefit

If you have too little money to cover your living expenses, you may be entitled to Citizen's benefit. In order to receive it, you must either live in a community of need with a citizen's allowance recipient or generally be able to work. You can find out more about Citizen's benefit here.

2. help to take up work for Citizen's benefit recipients

Illustration des Wegweisers. Er ragt aus einem großen Monitor heraus. In der einen Hand hält er eine Zeitung mit Jobanzeigen, in der anderen ein Megafon. Am Monitor hängt ein Mitarbeiterausweis mit der Aufschrift "Aushilfe". Um den Monitor herum liegen Alltagsgegenstände, Kaffeetassen, Gärtnerwerkzeug, ein Wasserschlauch und eine Gießkanne.

Work Opportunities

If you receive citizen's benefits, you can take part in a so-called work opportunity under certain conditions. This can improve your chances of (re-)entering working life. You can find more information here.

illustration des Wegweisers. Über seiner ausgestreckten rechten Hand schwebt der Gutschein, im Hintergrund sieht man zwei Pfeile nach oben. Außerdem einen Stapel Bücher, eine Absolventenkappe und einen Globus. Auf dem Stapel Bücher steht zudem ein Mikroskop.

Activation and placement voucher (AVGS)

Do you need support with your professional (re)integration? Or do you want to increase your chances on the job market? In these cases, the activation and placement voucher may be the right help for you. You can find more information here.

Der Wegweiser zeigt auf eine startende Rakete.

Benefit to promote integration into the labour market

You are currently receiving Citizen's benefit and would like to become self-employed? Or would you like to take up employment subject to social insurance contributions? Then the Benefit to promote integration into the labour market could be the right benefit for you. You can find more information here.

Der Wegweiser präsentiert einen Lebenslauf, ein Zertifikat und ein Nahverkehrsticket.

Grant from Placement Budget

If you are looking for or starting a new job or apprenticeship, you can have your expenses (such as travel costs and costs for certificates) reimbursed. This also applies to expenses you incur within the first 6 months of starting work. You can find out more about this benefit here.

Illustration des Wegweisers. Er ist umgeben von Schulbedarfsgegenständen.

Supporting young people who are difficult to reach

Are you between 15 and 25 years old and currently in a difficult life situation, for example because you can't find a job or training place? Then you may be able to apply for this benefit. It can help you to complete a qualification, find a job or receive social benefits. You can find more information here.

Der Wegweiser hält eine Brieftasche und einen Globus.

Free Funding

Do you receive citizen's benefits (Bürgergeld), are you being supported by the job center in finding work and need special help to get back into the job market? In these and other similar cases, the free funding program can help you find and keep work. You can find more information about the benefit here.

3. for employers and the self-employed

Der Wegweiser präsentiert den Handschlag zweier Personen.

Integration of the Long-Term Unemployed (Eingliederung von Langzeitarbeitslosen)

If you, as an employer, would like to employ eligible persons, you can apply to the Jobcenter for wage subsidies in accordance with the Participation Opportunities Act (Teilhabechancengesetz). Persons who have been unemployed for at least two years and receive citizen's benefits (Bürgergeld) are eligible. You can find more information about the benefit here.

Der Wegweiser erklärt ein Flipchart, auf diesem sind Grafiken zu erkennen.

Integration of Self-Employed

Do you receive Citizen's Benefit and are self-employed? Or are you planning to become self-employed as your main occupation after receiving the citizen's benefit? The Jobcenter can support you in becoming self-employed. You can find more information here.

Der Wegweiser präsentiert einen unterzeichneten Arbeitsvertrag. Es sind auch Aktenordner und Werkzeuge zu sehen.

Participation in the Job Market

If you as an employer would like to employ long-term unemployed people, you can apply to the Jobcenter for wage subsidies in accordance with the Participation Opportunities Act. People who have not found a job for many years and receive Citizen's benefit are eligible. You can find information on the benefit here.

Der Wegweiser präsentiert einen unterzeichneten Arbeitsvertrag. Es sind auch Aktenordner und Werkzeuge zu sehen.

Participation in the Job Market

If you as an employer would like to employ long-term unemployed people, you can apply to the Jobcenter for wage subsidies in accordance with the Participation Opportunities Act. People who have not found a job for many years and receive Citizen's benefit are eligible. You can find information on the benefit here.

Directly to the application form

Other service areas

Die Wegweiserin schaut aus einem Tablet heraus, welches an einen Stapel Bücher angelehnt horizontal aufgestellt ist. Sie zeigt auf Symbole, die mit der Schule zusammenhängen.

School, studies, training

Would you like to graduate from school, study or do an apprenticeship and need financial support? Then you can apply for various types of financial aid. You can find more information on this page.

Illustration der Wegweiserin. Sie steht vor einem Sideboard. Über dem Sideboard sind Bilder an der Wand zu sehen. Über ihrer linken Hand schwebt ein Schlüssel.

Living

Can't (or can no longer) afford your housing costs, are you looking for affordable accommodation or are you threatened with losing your home? Here, both tenants and owners can find services that can help with housing.

illustration des Wegweisers. Er sitzt mit einem Buch n der Hand in einem Sessel.Daneben steht eine Babywiege. Vor ihm liegen Kinderspielzeuge.

Services for families

Do you have one or more children and need support, for example to finance living expenses, education or leisure activities? Then you will find the right benefits on this page.

Der Wegweiser schiebt einen Rollstuhl. Vor ihm liegt ein Hund.

Health & Care

Do you need help because you are currently unable to work due to an illness? Or do you need support for special needs, for example due to a disability? On this page you will find suitable offers of help to support you or your relatives in the areas of health and care.