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Basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity also includes help with special financial burdens. This may be the case if you need initial equipment for your own home.

Important facts

You are entitled to basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity if you are unable to pay for your living expenses from your own income or assets and require assistance. The benefit is financial support intended to cover the social and cultural minimum subsistence level. It is therefore a social welfare benefit and fulfills the same function as subsistence assistance, but for a different group of people.

 

The competent authority is the local social welfare provider or the local social welfare office. To receive basic income support, you must submit an application to the social welfare office or the social welfare agency in your town or municipality. It is usually approved for a period of 12 months.

 

If you would like to apply for the benefit yourself, you can complete the online application for basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity here.

In addition to basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity, there is also the so-called "basic income support for jobseekers" (also known as citizen's allowance). This benefit is intended for people who are able to work and have not yet reached the standard retirement age (pensionable age).

Who is eligible?

You are entitled to this benefit if

  • you have exceeded the age limit for the pension

    or 

  • you are at least 18 years old and are permanently fully incapacitated for work for health reasons or due to a disability, i.e. you are unable to work

You can also receive the benefit for the period in which you work in a workshop for disabled people, undergo the entry procedure and the vocational training area with another service provider or are permanently employed in the work area.

You are not entitled to basic income support if

  • You are not permanently resident in Germany.
  • You have neither German citizenship nor the necessary right of residence.
  • You have applied for benefits for asylum seekers in Germany.
  • You have caused your emergency situation in the last ten years intentionally or through gross negligence, for example by giving away or carelessly losing assets.
  • You are fit for work, i.e. able to work, and are therefore entitled to citizen's allowance.
  • You are only temporarily incapacitated for work and are entitled to assistance with living expenses.

The facts about basic welfare for the elderly and people with reduced earnings capacity.

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Apply Online

You can apply for basic old-age and reduced-income benefits directly online here.