Benefits under the Basic Income Security Program for the Elderly and Persons with Reduced Earning Capacity are intended to ensure that basic human needs are met, such as food, clothing, personal hygiene, household goods, household energy, personal needs of daily life, as well as adequate housing and heating. With the exception of housing and heating, these benefits are generally provided as lump-sum standard rates. Individual grants are considered only under specific conditions.

In addition, additional needs are recognized in the case of

• old age and proof of the “G” designation,
• full incapacity for work and proof of the “G” designation,
• pregnancy,
• single-parent households,
• costly dietary requirements due to illness,
• Hot water with a decentralized hot water supply,
• communal lunches in a residential facility for people with disabilities or a comparable institution, and
• beneficiaries with disabilities who receive assistance for school or college education under Section 112 of SGB IX.

In addition, reasonable health and long-term care insurance premiums may be taken into account.

You can obtain further information and counseling from the responsible agency.

Basic Income Support in Old Age is a form of assistance.

Basic Income Support for Persons with Reduced Earning Capacity is a form of assistance.

People should have food and drink.

And clothing and household items.

And they should have money for other things.

For example:

• everyday necessities
• for medicine
• for the apartment

The apartment must be adequate. That means:

• The apartment must be good.
• The home must be warm.

You can get money for this from basic income support.

There is a fixed amount.

There are only a few exceptions.

Sometimes there are additional needs. That means:

You need more money than other people.

For example:

• If you have a disability.
• If you have a child and stay at home.

The “G” designation

You must have the “G” designation.

You’ll receive the “G” designation:

• If you are over 25 years old.
• If you have a reduced capacity to work.
• If you are pregnant.
• If you are a single parent.
• If you have to spend too much money on food:
• because you are sick.
• If you want hot water.
• If you want to have lunch at a facility.
• People with disabilities receive assistance with their education.
• Or they receive assistance for education at a university or technical college.
• If you have to pay for health insurance.
• And money for long-term care insurance.

That’s what the law says.

Then you’ll receive assistance.

You’ll receive money.

The money is enough for food and drink.

And for clothes and showers.

The amount of money changes every year.

If you need more money (difficult word: additional needs):

• For example:
• If you have a baby.
• If you’re living alone.
• If you have a disability.
• If you have special dietary needs.

You can get even more help.

• For example:
• You receive money to help with your housing costs.
• And for heating your home.
• The money is only for certain things.
• These things have to be very expensive.

Where you live is also important.

The government says:

This is the maximum amount of money allowed.

Special Case

• You are under 25 years old.
• And you’re not married.
• And you want to move out of your parents’ home.
• In that case, you must receive a special benefit from the Job Center.

You must submit an application.

The application is called a “commitment.”

You must submit the application to the Job Center.

You can receive the Zusicherung if:

• You want to move out of your parents’ home because there are serious reasons for doing so.

For example:

• Because you do not want to live with your parents.
• You want to find a new job.

There are other important reasons for moving.

Do you want to move?

Then you’ll need to ask the Job Center.

The Job Center says:

No, you’re not allowed to move. Then the Job Center won’t pay for your rent and heating.

And it won’t pay for the things in your apartment either.

You’ll have to pay for everything yourself.

If you ask the Job Center:

• “Because you’ve found a job?”
• Or do you have to move because of a job?

Then you can move.

And the Job Center will pay your moving expenses.

And they might also give you money for the security deposit.

You can also apply for a one-time payment.

You’ll receive the money for specific purposes.

For example:

• If you have a new apartment and need things for it.
• If you’re having a baby and need things for the baby
• You’ll receive money for your health insurance.
• And for your long-term care insurance.

You also receive money for: education.

For example:

• School field trips.
• Meals at school.
• School supplies.
• Do you need to apply for tutoring?

You have to fill out the application.

How much money do you have each month?

You’ll have to tell us that.

And how much do you have left?

You’ll need to state that as well.

• Then you’ll need to report your income and assets.
• And the people living in your household must also report their income and assets.
• The tricky term is “household for benefits purposes.”

• Proof of identity (e.g., ID card)
• Receipts for expenses:
• Rental agreement or property tax bill (each indicating the year built and size of the apartment)
• Receipts for gas, water, and electricity bills
• Insurance (policies and premium invoices), such as home contents, liability, life, and funeral insurance
• Possibly premium invoices for voluntary health and long-term care insurance, etc.
• Proof of income, e.g., pension statement, Unemployment Benefit II notice, housing allowance notice, pay stubs, etc.
• Documents regarding assets: bank statements for the last three months, savings accounts, fixed-term deposit accounts, securities accounts, land registry extract, etc.