Social Assistance Benefits for Different Life Situations
Service description
People who are unable to support themselves, either at all or sufficiently, through their own efforts and resources are entitled to subsistence assistance or basic income support in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity.
A special need exists in cases of illness, disability, or particular social difficulties, for which the legislature has provided social assistance benefits, provided that other social security providers are not required to provide benefits as a matter of priority (e.g., health insurance, the German Pension Insurance, etc.). These benefits are also provided to individuals who are still able to support themselves but who, due to a situation of special need, are dependent on social assistance benefits. The decisive factor in such cases is whether they can reasonably be expected to finance these benefits from their income and assets.
The legislature has provided for the following benefits in Book XII of the Social Code (SGB XII) in addition to assistance with living expenses and basic income support in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity:- Health Resources
- Rehabilitation Assistance for People with Disabilities
- Care Assistance
- Assistance in Overcoming Specific Social Difficulties
- Assistance in other life situations (e.g., help with managing household expenses, assistance for the elderly, coverage of funeral expenses)
The services listed in items 1, 3 (only for people over 65), 4, and 5 are provided by the local social services office with jurisdiction.
Responsibility for integration assistance benefits for people with disabilities lies primarily with the Hessian State Welfare Association, as the supralocal social welfare agency, as do responsibilities for long-term care benefits (only for people under 65 years of age). In addition, the Hessian State Welfare Association is responsible for providing services for the blind pursuant to Section 72 of Book XII of the Social Code (SGB XII).The integration assistance services for people with disabilities that fall under the jurisdiction of the Hessian State Welfare Association primarily include:
- Assisted Living
- Supervised Living with Host Families
- Residential Living in a Dormitory
- Services provided in semi-residential facilities, such as accredited workshops for people with disabilities
- Services for Children and Adolescents with Physical or Intellectual Disabilities in Foster Care
- Support for the Education of Children with Special Educational Needs
- Medical rehabilitation services at accredited rehabilitation facilities
- Services to Support Participation in Community Life
What documents are required?
Please contact the social services office responsible for your case or the relevant department of the Hessian State Welfare Association by phone to find out which documents you need to bring. You can find a phone number by entering your place of residence in the location search.
What deadlines do I have to observe?
Benefits may be approved no earlier than when the need is reported to a social services office or the Hesse State Welfare Association. The exact date of approval is determined by the review of each individual case.