Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung beantragen

• §§ 41 ff. Sozialgesetzbuch Zwölftes Buch (SGB XII) – Sozialhilfe

Anyone who has reached the age limit (65 years and older, depending on the individual case) or who, as an adult, is permanently fully incapacitated for health reasons, can receive benefits from basic security in old age and in case of reduced earning capacity.

Basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity is intended - like assistance for subsistence - to ensure the necessary subsistence. This applies in particular to the costs of accommodation and heating, food, clothing, personal hygiene, household goods and personal needs of daily life, such as telephone, newspaper or going to a concert.

Scope of the basic allowance

The amount of the benefit depends on the level of need. The competent authority must take into account the person's own income and assets when calculating the benefit.

Relatives are only liable for any maintenance obligations if their annual income exceeds EUR 100,000. The legislator has excluded a so-called liability of heirs, which means that the heirs are not obliged to reimburse any costs incurred for basic security.

These regulations are intended to make it easier for those affected to claim assistance.

The information in the application must be substantiated, for example by proof of costs, income and assets as well as medical certificates. You can find out which evidence is required in detail in the information sheets that you will receive when submitting your application.

An entitlement to basic income support benefits exists if

• the person concerned has his or her habitual residence in the Federal Republic of Germany, and
• has reached the age limit (65 years and older, depending on the individual case) or
• is permanently fully incapacitated for work after reaching the age of 18, or
• after reaching the age of 18
  • in a workshop for disabled people or is undergoing initial training and vocational training with another service provider or
  • is in a training relationship for which he/she receives a budget for work.

Indigence

The persons concerned must be needy, i.e. their income and assets (or those of their spouse/life partner) are not sufficient to ensure their necessary subsistence.

If the person in need has dependent parents or children, their annual income must not exceed EUR 100,000.

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Application

In order to receive benefits from the basic income support in old age and in case of reduced earning capacity, you as the person concerned or his/her legal representative must submit a written application.

• Application forms can be obtained from the competent office. Forms and leaflets are also available on the internet, depending on the service offered by the authority (access via "Forms/Online services" in the right-hand margin or on request from the competent office).
• You submit the completed application together with the required evidence to the competent authority.
• You will receive written notification as to whether and to what extent the application has been approved.

Examination of disability for work

If it needs to be clarified whether you are incapable of working, the competent office will contact the competent pension insurance institution.

The examination by the pension insurance institution is not necessary if the person concerned already receives a pension for reduced earning capacity or is admitted to a workshop or other institution for disabled people.

The benefit is usually approved for twelve calendar months, in the case of a provisional approval for a maximum of six months.

If you receive certain state social benefits, for example basic income support, you can apply to be exempted from the broadcasting fee.

Information on the appeal can be found in the notice.