One-Time Needs

If you receive Cost-of-living assistance or Basic welfare for the elderly and people with reduced earnings capacity, you may be entitled to this benefit - for example, if you need maternity clothes.

You can apply for the benefit online here.

Digital Application Assistant

Step 1

Digital Application Assistant: Find the relevant authority & submit an application

Use our wizard to find the right authority in just a few steps and submit your application straight away.

Please start by entering your place of residence so that we can show you the relevant information, application forms, your relevant authority and the applicable data protection regulations. We will then ask you four short questions to help us find the right authority for you.

In which town or parish do you live?

Digital Application Assistant: Find the relevant authority & submit an application

Based on your answers, we can show you the relevant authority for your application and you can submit it straight away.

To find the right department, we need a little more information.

Hinweis für Personen mit einer Auslandsadresse

Wenn Sie sich mit Ihrer BundID anmelden und außerhalb Deutschlands wohnen, kann es aktuell beim Absenden des Antrags zu Problemen kommen.

Bitte melden Sie sich in diesem Fall mit der Basisregistrierung bei BundID (Benutzername und Passwort) an. Prüfen Sie Ihre Angaben und ergänzen Sie diese gegebenenfalls. Öffnen Sie den Antrag anschließend erneut. 

Wir arbeiten bereits an einer Lösung und bitten um Ihr Verständnis.

The online application - simply explained

Enter your zip code. Based on your location, we will check whether an online application is possible.

Fill out the online application. You can complete the online form from the comfort of your own home. Evidence can simply be photographed and uploaded.

Send the application digitally. Check beforehand that you have provided all the necessary information and evidence correctly.

Wait for the processing time. If there are any queries or new information about your application, the responsible office will contact you.

Notes on data storage

If you log in with your service account, you can cache your application and continue at a later time. Please note, however, that the information you fill in will only be cached for 24 hours. After the 24 hours have expired, you will have to start the application again from the beginning.

Privacy policy

You can find out how your personal data is processed in the Data protection declaration for electronic applications in the procedure for the approval of One-Time Needs.

Short and sweet

If you receive Cost-of-living assistance or Basic welfare for the elderly and people with reduced earnings capacity, you can receive one-off benefits ("One-Time Needs") under certain conditions.

You can also receive One-Time Needs under certain conditions if you are unable to cover your needs from your own resources and do not receive any of the above-mentioned benefits.

Do I have a claim?

You may be entitled to One-Time Needs if you meet the following requirements:

Required documents

The scope of the required documents depends on the individual case.

The social welfare office responsible will let you know which documents you need.

If available, these are usually documents such as:

Deadlines

There are no deadlines for applying for One-Time Needs.

That's how long it takes

The processing time depends on the individual case.

The responsible social welfare office will take care of the processing as quickly as possible.

You can shorten the processing time if you submit all the required documents to the social welfare office promptly.

These costs arise

Applying for One-Time Needs is free of charge for you.