Grundsicherung im Alter und bei dauerhafter Erwerbsminderung

You may be entitled to basic benefits in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity if one of the following conditions is met:

• You have reached retirement age (retirement age between 65 and 67, depending on your year of birth), or
• if there is an unlimited full reduction in earning capacity, which has been determined by the pension provider, and you are of age (18 years old) and your income and assets are not sufficient to secure your livelihood.

Basic income support in old age and in the event of permanent reduction in earning capacity is granted to ensure the necessary subsistence if the person's own income and assets or those of the spouse or partner are insufficient. Since January 1, 2005, basic benefits have been a type of social assistance (assistance for subsistence).

In contrast to other social assistance benefits, no maintenance is required from dependent children or parents if the annual income per dependent person is less than 100,000 euros. The benefits are essentially the same as subsistence assistance.

The basic income support comprises

• The applicable standard rate of social assistance
• The appropriate actual costs for housing and heating
• If necessary, additional requirements, for example, for:
  1. severe disability with feature G and aG in the severely disabled person's identity card
  2. costly nutrition
  3. expectant mothers after the 12th week of pregnancy
  4. single parenthood
  5. a decentralized hot water supply
  6. contributions for health and nursing care insurance and for preventive care
• One-time requirements for:

1. initial equipment for the apartment including household appliances
2. initial equipment for clothing
3. Initial equipment for pregnancy and birth
4. Purchase and repairs of orthopedic shoes
5. Repairs of therapeutic devices and equipment, as well as the rent of therapeutic devices

Basic benefits are also granted in the case of inpatient accommodation, for example in a care facility.

• Identity card
• proof of income and assets of the applicant

  All proof of income and assets, e.g. pension statements, alimony, other social benefits, savings books, life insurance, car

• Supporting titles

  If available: Maintenance certificate, court order - judgment or proof of service of the maintenance claim.

• Divorce decree or judgment

  If you are divorced.

• Proof of permanent incapacity to work

  e.g. determination of the pension insurance institution, employment in a workshop for disabled people

• proof of income and assets of the spouse or partner

  These are e.g. employment income, unemployment benefit, other social benefits, savings books, life insurance, car

• Rental agreement and service charge statements

  Rental agreement or existing rental agreement changes, current service charge statements such as house costs

• when you reach retirement age (retirement age between 65 and 67 years, depending on the year of birth), or
• if there is an unlimited full reduction in earning capacity, which has been determined by the pension provider, and you are of age (18 years of age) and your income and assets are not sufficient to secure your livelihood.

The application can be made in writing, by telephone or in person without observing any form. The required application documents must then be submitted in full and in a timely manner.

The social centers of the Office of Social Services provide an application form for applying for benefits under Social Code XII. It is available at the social centers and is usually filled out by the case worker together with the applicant.