Grant from Placement Budget

Funds for a grant from the Placement Budget are provided by your local Job Center. Whether your expenses will be reimbursed—and, if so, in what amount—will be determined before the costs are incurred, when you apply for reimbursement. To this end, you will have a meeting with a representative from your local Job Center.

The sole requirement for eligibility for a grant from the Placement Budget is the initiation and commencement of employment subject to social insurance contributions. Thus, taking up self-employment, a civil service position, or a “minijob” does not qualify for a grant.

The goal of the funding is to help individuals take on new employment subject to social insurance contributions or, depending on the individual case, to secure existing employment. Whether training or employment is arranged by the Employment Agency or the Job Center, or sought out independently, has no bearing on eligibility for benefits.

Grant from Placement Budget is provided exclusively as a grant. It may only be used to reimburse costs that are necessary for your vocational integration. 

These include, for example:

• job application costs,
• travel expenses to job interviews,
• commuting to the new job,
• costs for required documents (such as certified copies, translations),
• moving expenses (if you have to move for the new job). 

In addition, you may also be reimbursed for expenses incurred within the first 6 months after starting a new job. For some expenses, you may be required to pay a portion yourself.

Reimbursement options may vary from one Jobcenter to another. Funding is limited to covering actual, verifiable expenses; advance payments are only possible in exceptional cases.

The acquisition of vocational skills cannot be supported through a grant from Placement Budget ( ).

You can apply for a grant from the Placement Budget online or in person at your local Jobcenter. 

Applying in person at the Job Center:

• Schedule a consultation appointment with a representative at your local Jobcenter. They will discuss with you whether a grant from the Placement Budget is available and what types of support services can be offered.
• You will then receive the necessary application forms at the Job Center.
• Fill out the forms, attach the required supporting documents, and return the documents to your local Jobcenter. 

Applying online:

• Fill out the online application and upload the necessary supporting documents. 

If you have already submitted an application, you can also use the social platform for this:

• upload any supporting documents that are still required
• submit receipts for expenses incurred

Please note that you must apply for a grant from the Placement Budget and reimbursement before you incur any costs. The processing time for your application varies depending on the individual case. You will be notified in writing whether the costs will be covered. 

The reimbursable costs will then be transferred to the account you specified.