Benefit to promote integration into the labour market

When you apply for Benefit to promote integration into the labour market, your Jobcenter will check whether and how much you can receive.

The following factors are usually taken into account when calculating the amount of the Benefit to promote integration into the labour market:

• Prior duration of unemployment
• Size of the community of need, for example the family
• Specific standard needs of the applicant

As these factors can vary greatly, the amount of funding also varies. For some groups of people, your job center can also make a flat-rate assessment.

The application for Benefit to promote integration into the labour market will be checked by your local Jobcenter. You must submit the application before you start working. You will receive the Benefit to promote integration into the labour market for a maximum of 24 months. The amount of the payment is determined individually.

Important: Submit the application before you start self-employment or work subject to social insurance contributions.

If you are receiving Citizen's benefit and would like to become self-employed full-time, the Jobcenter requires the completed application for Benefit to promote integration into the labour market.

Ideally, the following documents should also be submitted:

• CV, including any necessary proof of qualifications
• Explanatory description of the business start-up project to explain the business idea
• Capital requirement and financing plan
• Revenue expectations and profit forecast for the next 3 years
• Proof of professional qualifications for the field of activity
• If applicable, the opinion of an external third party or an expert body on the future success of your business. Expert bodies are: Chambers, professional associations, credit institutions, start-up initiatives

Important: You can initially submit the application without submitting further documents. In this case, the competent authority will request missing documents. This can prolong the duration of the procedure.
After you have submitted the application, your job center often requires further documents. This includes, above all, proof that you are self-employed. This can be, for example, a business registration, registration with the tax office or confirmation of the change from a secondary trade to a main trade.

Further proof may need to be submitted, for example:

• Accident insurance
• Company liability insurance
• Registration in the trades register

You would like to take up work subject to social insurance contributions and are currently receiving Citizen's benefit. If you meet the requirements to receive Benefit to promote integration into the labour market, you will need the following proof:

• a fully completed application for Benefit to promote integration into the labour market
• an employment contract for an activity subject to social insurance contributions with a salary of more than €520 per month

Important: You can initially submit the application without submitting your employment contract in order to meet the necessary deadlines. In this case, the competent authority will request missing documents. This can extend the duration of the procedure.

The application is free of charge.

Once you have submitted your application online or on site at a job center, the job center will check whether you meet the requirements for funding. Sometimes a consultation takes place afterwards.

You will receive a notification by post with an approval or rejection of your application. If your application is approved, the Jobcenter will transfer the amount to your account each month in advance.

Ideally, you need a business plan in order to receive Benefit to promote integration into the labour market for your self-employment. It helps the job center to assess whether your start-up project is economically promising. A business plan usually contains a financial plan, a turnover and profitability forecast, a description of the business start-up and a CV that demonstrates your qualifications for the planned activity.

If your start-up project fails, you do not have to repay the Benefit to promote integration into the labour market.

You can receive Benefit to promote integration into the labour market for a maximum of 24 months.

If you only receive Unemployment benefit and would like to become self-employed, you cannot be granted Benefit to promote integration into the labour market. Please contact your local employment agency for information on other funding options, such as the business start-up grant.

Your self-employed activity is considered to be your main occupation if you do not carry out other activities to a greater extent in terms of time. The income from your main occupation should also be the main source of income for your living expenses.

If you have a job that is subject to social insurance contributions and you are paid Benefit to promote integration into the labour market, you will also receive this in the event of individual days of absence, short-time working or illness.