Social assistance & basic security

Is your money not enough to cover your living expenses because you are unable to work or can only work a little or are of retirement age? Do you have children and need extra money for school supplies or the sports club? You will find suitable offers of help for these and similar situations here.

Contents of this page

Illustration eines geöffneten Portemonnaies. Davor liegen ein paar Münzen.

Here you will find support services on the topics of social assistance & basic income support. There are three basic security benefits: Citizen's benefit if you can work more than 3 hours a day, Basic welfare for the elderly and people with reduced earnings capacity if you have reached retirement age or are fully incapacitated for work and Cost-of-living assistance if the reduction in earning capacity is not permanent. In addition, there are further benefits as a supplement, for example in relation to housing, mobility, leisure activities and education and participation for children and young people.

Benefits on the subject of social assistance & basic security

Eine illustrierte Figur steht an der Kasse mit Einkäufen.

Cost-of-living assistance

You are not permanently incapacitated for work or of retirement age, but are currently unable to work for health reasons? Then you may be entitled to this benefit. You can find out more here.

Die Wegweiserin, eine weibliche Figur mit schwarzen Haaren, rotem Shirt und weißer Hose steht vor einem Sessel. Auf diesem liegt ein Hund. Die Figur wirft Geld in ein Portemonnaie, das auf dem Tisch neben dem Sessel steht.

Basic welfare for the elderly and people with reduced earnings capacity

If you receive a pension or are permanently incapacitated for work and your money is not enough to cover your living costs, you can apply for this type of basic income support. You can find more information here.

Illustrierte Wegweiserin, Frau mit schwarzen Haaren zeigt auf eine Wand mit Kleidung an Haken, einem Rollator, Umzugskartons und einer Babytrage.

One-Time Needs

If you receive assistance with living expenses or basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity, you may be entitled to this benefit - for example, if you need maternity clothes. You can find more information here.

Illustration der Wegweiserin. Sie steht neben Häusern. Darüber schwebt ein Haken.

Social housing eligibility certificate

If you have a low income and would like to rent an affordable, subsidized apartment, you can apply for a Social housing eligibility certificate (WBS). You can find out more here.

Illustration der Wegweiserin. Sie hält einen Taschenrechner in ihrer linken Hand. Mit der rechten Hand zeigt sie auf den Taschenrechner. Davor schwebt die Illustration eines Mietvertrags.

Assumption of rent arrears

If you have rent debts and could therefore lose your home, the social welfare office or job center can take over your rent debts in the form of a loan under certain conditions. You can find more information on this here.

Illustration der Wegweiserin. Sie spielt mit einem Fußball. Neben ihr steht ein Rucksack. Unter dem linken Arm trägt sie zwei Bücher.

Education and participation

Children, teenagers and young adults should have the same opportunities in Germany. Education and participation in social and cultural life are important prerequisites for equal opportunities. This is why the state promotes education and participation benefits, also known as the education and participation package. You can find out more here.

Directly to the application form

Other service areas

Der Wegweiser, eine Illustration eines mannes mit kurzen schwarzen Haaren, sitzt an einem Schreibtisch. Vor ihm ein Computer. Seine Arme sind angewinkelt und nach oben gerichtet- über ihm schweben Symbole für Arbeitsbranchen. Eine Schere für Friseurhandwerk, Werkzeug, eine Kochmütze und ein Aktenkoffer.

Unemployment & job search

Don't have enough money to finance your living expenses? You can and would like to work, but can't find a job at the moment? Or you have a small income, but it's not enough? If any of these apply to your life situation, you will find suitable offers of help on this page.

Illustration der Wegweiserin. Sie steht vor einem Sideboard. Über dem Sideboard sind Bilder an der Wand zu sehen. Über ihrer linken Hand schwebt ein Schlüssel.

Living

Can't (or can no longer) afford your housing costs, are you looking for affordable accommodation or are you threatened with losing your home? Here, both tenants and owners can find services that can help with housing.

Die Wegweiserin schaut aus einem Tablet heraus, welches an einen Stapel Bücher angelehnt horizontal aufgestellt ist. Sie zeigt auf Symbole, die mit der Schule zusammenhängen.

School, studies, training

Would you like to graduate from school, study or do an apprenticeship and need financial support? Then you can apply for various types of financial aid. You can find more information on this page.

illustration des Wegweisers. Er sitzt mit einem Buch n der Hand in einem Sessel.Daneben steht eine Babywiege. Vor ihm liegen Kinderspielzeuge.

Services for families

Do you have one or more children and need support, for example to finance living expenses, education or leisure activities? Then you will find the right benefits on this page.

Die illustrierte Wegweiserin steht vor einem Flugzeug, neben ihr stehen Koffer.In der Hand hält sie einen Pass, mit der linken Hand zeigt sie auf eine Karte von Deutschland.

Migration & Asylum

You have come to Germany from a non-EU country or a third country and need help, for example to finance your living expenses? Then you will find the right help on this page.

Der Wegweiser schiebt einen Rollstuhl. Vor ihm liegt ein Hund.

Health & Care

Do you need help because you are currently unable to work due to an illness? Or do you need support for special needs, for example due to a disability? On this page you will find suitable offers of help to support you or your relatives in the areas of health and care.