Hilfe bei Schwangerschaft und Mutterschaft beantragen

• §§ 9, 19 bis 22, 23 bis 29 Zweites Buch Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB II) – Leistungen zur Sicherung des Lebensunterhaltes
• §§ 8, 19, 27 bis 40 Zwölftes Buch Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB XII) – Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt
• § 50 SGB XII – Hilfe bei Schwangerschaft und Mutterschaft

If mothers or pregnant women are unable to support themselves and their children from their own income and assets, they are entitled to benefits under the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II) - basic income support for jobseekers, citizens' allowance - or under the Twelfth Book of the German Social Code (SGB XII) - social assistance.

If you do not have health insurance, first apply for basic income support for jobseekers, citizen's allowance in accordance with SGB II. If you are entitled to benefits under this law as an employable person in need of assistance, you will automatically be covered by health insurance.

Basic income support for jobseekers, citizen's allowance

Basic income support for jobseekers/citizen's allowance is paid to people who

• have reached the age of 15 and have not yet reached the age limit - 6 years or older, depending on the individual case,
• are able to work (i.e. are not unable to work at least three hours a day under the usual conditions of the general labour market for the foreseeable future due to illness or disability),
• are in need of assistance and
• have their habitual residence in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Pregnant women and mothers who are bringing up their child until it reaches the age of three are also generally able to work under this law, but cannot be expected to work for this period.

Social welfare benefits during pregnancy and maternity

If you are not entitled to basic income support for jobseekers/citizen's allowance, you may be able to receive social welfare benefits during your pregnancy and in the initial period afterwards as part of assistance during pregnancy and maternity (in accordance with SGB XII). As with statutory health insurance, this assistance includes

• medical care and assistance as well as midwife assistance,
• Provision of medicines, dressings and remedies,
• Care in an inpatient facility and
• home care services.

The entitlement arises as soon as the competent body becomes aware of your emergency situation. You are free to decide which doctor or inpatient facility you wish to use.

• Identity card or passport
• Mother's passport
• Proof of income - current bank statements, if applicable
  • for example wages, unemployment benefit, pensions, sickness benefit, housing benefit, child benefit, alimony, maintenance advance or parental benefit
• Proof of existing assets
  • for example savings or life insurance policies
• Proof of expenses - current bank statements, if applicable
  • for example, rental agreement, rent receipts, heating costs, documents on insurance premiums
• if applicable, divorce decree, maintenance order

• Neediness (certain income limits or asset exemption limits apply)
• no overriding claims against third parties (e.g. against the child's father)

Note: If the mother is pregnant and caring for her own child up to the age of six, benefits are granted without taking the parents' income and assets into account (even if the mother is a minor), even if the mother lives with her parents.

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• Submit a written application for "basic income support for jobseekers, citizen's allowance" or "assistance during pregnancy and maternity" to the relevant office.
• The easiest way to do this is to go to the authorities with the necessary documents and complete the application during a counselling session.

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Benefits to ensure subsistence / assistance with living expenses

If your disposable family income is not sufficient to cover the necessary living expenses and no realisable assets can be used, you may also be entitled to a benefit to secure your living expenses in accordance with SGB II or assistance with living expenses in accordance with SGB XII in addition to the special benefit "Assistance during pregnancy and maternity".

Prerequisites

The economic eligibility requirements for benefits under SGB II or SGB XII are essentially the same:

• In principle, the entire family income must be taken into account when determining the need (for example, earned income taking into account statutory deductions, unemployment benefit, child benefit, maintenance).
• Parental allowance is taken into account (special regulation for those entitled to parental allowance who were employed before the birth of their child).
• State parental allowance is not taken into account.
• Certain assets, e.g. cash in the amount stipulated by law or a reasonable motor vehicle, are regarded as protected assets that are not included in the calculation of benefits.
• If you are pregnant or are caring for your child up to the age of six, any income and assets of the parents are not taken into account.

If the allowable income is less than the assessed need, the difference will be covered by the basic income support for jobseekers/citizens' allowance (SGB II) or social assistance (SGB XII).

Current needs

Current needs are made up as follows:

• Standard needs for you and all family members who live with you. This amount must be used to cover daily expenses, such as food, personal hygiene and electricity.
• Accommodation costs (reasonable rent, including ancillary costs) and heating (taking into account a waiting period of one year)
  • Under SGB II, pregnant women and mothers under the age of 25 who intend to set up their own household only receive accommodation costs and the full standard requirement if they were assured that the costs would be covered before the contract was concluded.
• Additional needs supplements (for example in the case of pregnancy or single parenthood)
  • Expectant mothers after the 12th week of pregnancy who receive basic income support for jobseekers/citizens' benefit or social assistance receive an additional requirement of 17 per cent of the standard requirement.
  • People who live with one or more underage children and are solely responsible for their care and upbringing (depending on the age and number of children) receive an additional requirement due to single parenthood.
• Contributions for health and long-term care insurance
• if applicable: pension insurance contributions

Other benefits can be, for example

• One-off benefits for needs not covered by the standard requirement, such as
• Initial furnishings for the home (including household appliances)
• Initial outfits for clothing; initial outfits for pregnancy and childbirth
• Purchase and repair of orthopaedic shoes, repair of therapeutic devices and equipment, hire of therapeutic devices
• Housing procurement costs
• Benefits for education and participation in social/cultural life for children and young people

You may also be entitled to one-off benefits if you are able to cover your current living expenses but are unable to finance one-off needs.

Tip: If you do not receive (sufficient) statutory benefits as a pregnant woman, you can also contact the "Hilfe für Familien, Mutter und Kind" foundation up to the 20th week of pregnancy.

• Appeal (details in the decision)
• Legal action before the social court (details in the decision)