The Social Service Platform provides a clear and concise overview of a variety of social benefits It is aimed at helping you find the right benefits should you require financial or social support. The Social Service Platform is under continuous development. In future, the Social Platform will act as an online portal encompassing information and advice on all social benefits as well as all of the necessary application forms. Social Service Platform is a nationwide offering led by the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia.
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
Information about the social platform
A wide range of social benefits are available in Germany. The Social Service Platform acts as a hub offering all of the relevant information and guidance from a single source. From searching for information or advice to applying for benefits online, the Social Platform fits in seamlessly with the modern digital landscape and makes it simple to get the assistance to which you are entitled.
The Social Service Platform brings you closer to local authorities and advisory centres. It aims to provide guidance and information, facilitate online applications and help find the right social benefit or advice and arrange relevant appointments.
The Social Service Platform is a nationwide offering put together by the federal states of Germany. The Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia also develops the Social Service Platform for other federal states.
Whether you are able to submit an application to your local authority on the Social Service Platform depends on whether your local authority is part of the scheme. Applications and advisory services from a large number of local authorities will be available on the Social Service Platform by the end of 2022. The Social Service Platform offers reliable and secure information and is an official service of the administrative authorities. It ensures full compliance with all data protection requirements, such as encrypted data transfer.
The following functions can be found on the Social Platform or will be available shortly:
Information: The platform provides easy-to-understand information about a range of social benefits
Apply online: You can apply for some benefits online using the electronic ID card or a service account.
Advice finder: You can locate advisory services on issues such as addiction, debt and homelessness in your local area. You can refine your search by entering your town or city and a keyword in the search bar.
Social benefits finder: Here you can find answers to any questions you may have about your current circumstances and discover which social benefits you may be entitled to.
Online appointment service: You can arrange appointments for certain advisory services online, for both in-person appointments and online meetings. However, this is currently only possible at participating advisory services. Use the advice finder to look for an advisory service near you and find out if you can book appointments online.
Live chat and video meetings: You can also receive personalised advice by video on sensitive subjects, such as debt counselling, or use the anonymous live chat function.
The Social Platform is still a young project that is under continuous development and expansion. Online applications are becoming possible for more and more social benefits; these online applications are also gradually being added to the Social Platform. In future, the Social Platform is to become an online portal that provides information and enables applications to be made for many different social benefits.
Plans are in place to add the following elements in 2022 and 2023:
- Information on additional social benefits and how to apply for them online
- Incorporation of other local authorities
- Expansion of advisory service
You can contact us by telephone. We are available from Monday to Friday (8 am to 6 pm) at the following number: +49 (0)211 837-1955 (German speaking support only)