Asylum-Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG)

The following requirement rates apply effective 1 January 2023: 

• Requirement level 1 (single persons or single parents) EUR 182 (necessary to cover basic cost of living) + EUR 228 (personal needs) = EUR 410 total
• Requirement level 2 (couples in an apartment/shared accommodations) EUR 164 + EUR 205 = EUR 369
• Requirement level 3 (adults in an inpatient institution; adults under the age of 25 years who live in their parents’ household) EUR 146 + EUR 182 = EUR 328
• Requirement level 4 (teens from the ages of 14 to 17 years) EUR 124 + EUR 240 = EUR 364
• Requirement level 5 (children from the ages of 6 to 13 years) EUR 122 + EUR 182 = EUR 304
• Requirement level 6 (children up to the age of 5 years) EUR 117 + EUR 161 = EUR 278

These are the so-called basic benefits, benefits in the event of illness, pregnancy and childbirth as well as other benefits.

• Basic benefits are intended to cover the necessities of life (e.g. food, accommodation, heating, clothing, personal hygiene and household goods): Food, accommodation, heating, clothing, personal hygiene and household goods).
• Pregnancy and childbirth benefits supplement additional needs for expectant mothers. This can be, for example, maternity clothing or initial baby equipment (e.g. diapers and a diaper bag).
• Healthcare benefits are intended to ensure your healthcare if you are not insured with a health insurance fund. Health care includes treatment by a doctor if you are acutely ill or in pain, necessary vaccinations and medically necessary check-ups.
• Other benefits are aimed in particular at special cases. These can be special benefits to secure your livelihood or for children's needs, for example school supplies and integration assistance for disabled children. Benefits for certain interpreter costs and costs for obtaining a passport are also possible.

If you are applying for health benefits, the following documentation may also be requested: 

• Proof of health insurance and long-term care insurance
• Documentation relating to benefits
• Maternity record (Mutterpass)

Once a successful application has been submitted, benefits provided to help with the basic necessities of life for foreign nationals are paid for the duration of the asylum application process/temporary suspension of deportation in Germany. Benefits can be requested starting on the day when the asylum request was made. Eligibility expires after a final negative decision on the day after the person leaves Germany.

After you have resided in Germany for 18 months, you are fundamentally eligible for benefits in a total amount geared towards the provisions of the twelfth book of the German Code of Social Laws (such as social assistance). These benefits are called analogous benefits (Analogieleistungen).

When you apply for benefits under the Asylum-Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG) for the first time, you are required to appear in person at the agency responsible for you. You are permitted to bring a trusted person with you. This person might be an interpreter or an employee of your housing facility or an asylum aid organisation, for example.

You should bring the following documents with you when applying:

• Completed application
• Proof of current residency document (such as a passport, permission to remain in Germany pending the asylum decision, temporary suspension of deportation)
• Proof of assets (such as account statements relating to accounts and investments in Germany and other countries, vehicles, jewellery, real estate)
• Proof of income for all family members in the household (such as payslips, pension notices, child benefits, BAföG student support, maintenance advance)
• If applicable, proof of health insurance and long-term care insurance
• If applicable, documentation relating to benefits
  • Maternity record (Mutterpass)
  • School registration
  • Cost estimates
  • In case of obligations to cooperate under administrative law: Notices and requests from the agency responsible for foreign nationals
• If applicable, proof of insurance and travel expenses (in case of gainful employment)
• If applicable, proof of earlier social benefits (termination decision by the Jobcenter, discontinuation decisions by other municipalities)
• If applicable, lease agreement and proof of current amount of rent, heating costs and electricity
• If applicable, marriage certificate, divorce judgement, proof of spousal support
• If applicable, proof of rights of contact (in case of parents living separately in Germany)
• Proof of assets (such as motor vehicle papers, savings book, life insurance policies, etc.)

You are obligated to notify the agency responsible for you right away of any changes in your personal or financial circumstances. If you do not do so, disbursement of your benefits may be halted. Failing to report commencing gainful employment correctly, completely or on time is an administrative offence punishable by a fine of up to EUR 5,000.

Yes. If your deportation has been temporarily suspended pursuant to Sec. 60a of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), you may be eligible to receive benefits under the AsylbLG.

Yes. You can apply for health benefits under the AsylbLG.

Yes. If you are pregnant, you can apply for pregnancy and birth benefits. These benefits are meant to help with the added costs associated with pregnancy, along with providing a lump sum for a layette kit.

No. The agency responsible for you will decide individually for each person which kind of benefit you receive. This typically depends on your living situation. If you live in a reception centre and receive certain benefits in kind (such as food, hygiene articles and electricity), the standard rate will be reduced accordingly. For this reason, it is important to submit all of the key documents when you apply.

You will receive benefits under the AsylbLG as long as your asylum application process or temporary suspension of deportation in Germany is in progress. Benefits can be requested starting on the day when the asylum request was made. Your eligibility will expire after you leave Germany.

Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act can be applied for informally. Arrange a personal appointment for advice with your responsible office. Please take all the necessary documents with you to the appointment.

This is how the application for benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act works:

• You submit the application to your local competent office or directly here via the online portal.
• You submit the required documents.
• The competent authority checks your application and calculates your needs.
• The competent authority decides on your application and informs you of the result. You will receive a corresponding notification from your competent authority.
• If your application is approved, you will receive a notice of approval; if it is rejected, you will receive a notice of rejection.
• In both cases, the notification will contain the reasons for the decision. It also contains information about the possibility of appealing against the decision. It also contains information on the deadline within which you can lodge an appeal.
• The approval notice contains the amount of the benefit to be paid and the start date for payment. From the date stated, the benefits to which you are entitled will generally be made available to you by the competent institution at the beginning of the month. Payment may vary depending on the individual case, for example by bank transfer, cash payment, payment order for offsetting, cash card, cashier's check or vouchers.
• For healthcare benefits: Depending on your competent authority, you will receive either a treatment certificate or an electronic health card.
  • Treatment certificate: You present the treatment certificate to your doctor within the deadline and receive treatment. If you require further healthcare services, you will usually have to submit a new application. You can obtain further information on benefits and the treatment certificate from your health insurance provider.
  • Electronic health card: You present the health card to your doctor and receive treatment. If you need health services again, you can visit the doctor directly and do not need a new application.

Please note: You are obliged to inform your competent authority immediately of any changes in your personal and financial circumstances.

The processing time depends on the specifics of the individual case.