Living Expenses Assistance

Subsistence AssistanceIndividuals may apply for this assistance if they receive an old-age pension before reaching the retirement age, if they are single and have not yet reached the retirement age but have been fully incapacitated for work for more than six months, or if they have been staying in an inpatientinpatient facility, hospital, etc. for more than six months. The benefit is to be granted to individualswho are unable to provide for their basic living expenses—or cannot do so sufficiently—through their own efforts and resources, particularly their income and assets.

It is important to note that social assistance is a secondary benefit and is therefore generally provided only after all other options have been exhausted—such as the income and assets of the beneficiary and, if applicable, those of the persons obligated to provide supportto provide support, their own ability to work, and their claims againstpriority social security systems.

The necessities of life include, in particular, food,housing, clothing, personal hygiene, household goods, heating, and the personal needs of dailylife.

Certain groups of people are granted additional benefits.

Job seekers who are able to work and are between the ages of 15 and the statutory retirement age are excluded from receiving subsistence assistance benefits. Upon application, they may receive basic income support for job seekers under SGB II.