Basic security

The basic income support benefit is a social benefit that ensures the basic subsistence needs of persons over 65 years of age or at least 18 years of age and permanently fully incapacitated. It is a benefit within the Social Code XII (SGB XII) according to the 4th chapter.

However, if a child or the parents together have a gross annual income of more than 100,000 euros, there is no entitlement to basic security benefits.

Persons with habitual residence in the Federal Republic of Germany areeligible to apply :

• who have reached the age of 65, or
• who have reached the age of 18 and are permanently fully incapacitated for work, irrespective of the respective labor market situation.

Persons who arepermanently fully inc apacitated for work are:

• who receive a permanent disability pension.
• who are employed in a workshop for disabled persons, or persons who are not capable of working in a workshop.
• whose capacity to work is reduced due to illness or disability, so that the person is (permanently) unable to work at least three hours a day under normal conditions of the general labor market for an unforeseeable period of time. This decision is made by the competent pension insurance institution at the request of the Basic Security Office.

Persons who arenot permanently incapacitated and therefore not eligible to apply are those who:

• receive a temporary disability pension,
• can work more than three hours a day on the general labor market.

Persons who areentitled to basic benefits are those who do not earn their living from their own income and assets:

• cannot support themselves from their own income and assets.
• cannot cover their living expenses from the income and assets of their non-separated spouse or cohabiting partner - insofar as this exceeds their social assistance requirements.

Basic needs include:

• applicable standard rate
• reasonable, actual expenses for accommodation and heating
• health and long-term care insurance contributions
• additional requirements

Other services

One-time aid

• for the initial equipment of the dwelling including household appliances
• for the initial provision of clothing including maternity clothing and childbirth

• for a rent deposit, provided the rent is reasonable

• pensions, annuities
• Benefits from the Federal Employment Agency
• Income from employment
• Income from residential rights, usufructuary rights, rights to part of an estate for the elderly
• Maintenance of the separated / divorced spouse
• Interest
• Child benefit (if income of the child)
• Other income from capital assets
• Rental and leasing income

• House and land assets
• Cars
• Securities
• Balances with banks, savings banks, building societies, etc.
• Surrender values of life and death insurance policies
• Cash

If the income is below the basic security requirement, the difference between the basic security requirement and the income is recognized as a basic security benefit.

If the income exceeds the basic security requirement, a benefit is not eligible.

Are not eligible for basic security benefits:

• Persons for whom the gross annual income of the persons liable for maintenance exceeds the amount of 100,000 euros (per child or parents jointly).
• Persons who have not enforced priority claims against separated or divorced spouses.
• Persons who have caused their indigence intentionally or through gross negligence within the last ten years.
• Foreign nationals who are entitled to benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act.
• Persons who are already claiming housing benefits.