Apply for help with living costs

Is your disposable family income not sufficient for the necessary subsistence? Do you have no realisable assets and are not fit for work? Then you may be entitled to help with living costs (social assistance).

Note: If you are fit for work, you are entitled to a citizen's allowance under certain conditions.

Note: If you have reached the standard age limit or are at least 18 years old and are permanently fully incapacitated for work, you may be entitled to benefits from basic security in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity.

The benefits of assistance for subsistence include:

• the flat-rate standard rate to ensure subsistence, for example for food, clothing, personal hygiene. The amount depends on the number of persons living in the household (community of use) and their age.
• Benefits for additional subsistence needs, for example for expectant mothers from the 13th week of pregnancy, single parents, disabled persons, nutrition-related additional needs as well as for a decentralised hot water supply
• Benefits for accommodation and heating, as far as the costs are reasonable, if necessary also removal costs and rent deposits
• other one-off benefits in kind or cash benefits or loans, for example initial equipment for newborns, initial housing facilities
• Education and participation benefits for children and young people, for example school trips, personal school supplies, school tickets, school lunches, club fees, learning assistance
• contributions to health and long-term care insurance

The flat-rate standard rate is graduated according to age groups and type of housing and will be as follows from 01.01.2024:

• Level 1: EUR 563.00 for each adult person living in a flat
• Level 2: EUR 506.00 for each adult person living in a flat with a spouse or partner or living in a special form of housing for disabled persons
• Level 3: EUR 451,00 for each adult person living in an institution
• Level 4: EUR 471,00 for young people from the beginning of their 15th to the end of their 18th year of life
• Level 5: EUR 390,00 for children from the beginning of their 7th to the end of their 14th year of life
• Level 6: EUR 357.00 for children up to the age of 6

The Social Welfare Office takes the entire family income into account to determine the need for assistance. It takes into account, for example:

• Maintenance payments
• Pension income
• Child benefit

Certain assets are considered to be exempt assets, such as small amounts of cash or an appropriate house property. These are not included in the calculation of benefits.

If the countable income is less than the assessed need, the Social Welfare Office will pay the difference.

You can also receive one-off benefits if you are able to ensure your current livelihood but cannot finance a one-off need.

Notice: As a rule, you will not receive benefits for past periods.