The social platform offers a clear overview of various social benefits. It aims to help you find the right benefit if you need financial or social assistance. The social platform is constantly being expanded. In the future, the social platform will act as a central online contact point for information, advice centers and applications for all social benefits. The social platform is a nationwide service for which the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is responsible.
General Questions (Allgemeine Fragen)
In our FAQ you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Social Service Platform.
Date of translation: 20 December 2023
General information on the social platform
There are many social services and offers of help in Germany. The social platform is a website that brings all the information together in one place and provides guidance. Whether you are looking for information or advice or want to submit applications directly online - the social platform fits in with modern digital life and makes it easier for you to get help.
The social platform brings you together with local authorities and advice centers. It is designed to provide advice, information, enable online applications and help you find the right social benefit or advice and make appointments for these.
The social platform is a nationwide service offered by the federal states. The Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia (MAGS NRW) is also developing the social platform for other federal states. Whether an application on the social platform is also available in your local authority depends on whether your local authority has joined. The social platform offers secure information and services and is an official service of the administration. Corresponding data protection requirements, such as encrypted data transfer, are ensured.
The following functions can be found on the social platform or will be available there in the near future:
Information: The platform offers easy-to-understand information on numerous social benefits.
Apply online: You can apply for some benefits online using your electronic ID card or a service account.
Counselling center finder: You can search for counselling services on the topics of addiction, debt and homelessness in your area. You can refine your search by entering your location and a keyword in the search mask.
Social benefits finder: Here you can answer questions about your current life situation and see the social benefits to which you may be entitled.
Online appointment booking: You can easily book your appointment for selected counseling services online, whether for an on-site consultation or an online consultation. However, this is currently only possible at participating advice centers. To find an advice center near you and find out whether online appointment booking is possible, you can use the advice center finder.
Chat and video advice: You can get personal advice on sensitive topics such as debt advice via video or write anonymously via chat.
.The social platform is constantly being developed and expanded. It is the central online contact point that bundles information and applications for many social benefits.
More than 20 online applications can be submitted via the social platform. More local authorities are being connected all the time.
You can search for advice centers and make online appointments for connected advice centers via video chat or anonymously.
You are welcome to call us with your questions. You can reach us from Monday to Friday (8 am to 6 pm) on the following number: 0211 837-1955
Information for authorities, offices and local authorities: this section bundles the most important information on contact persons and connections and on the project.
Information for advice centers: this section provides information on contact persons, connections, the advice center finder and extensive support for online appointment booking and online advice.