Social Assistance in Germany (Sozialhilfe, SGB XII): Who Can Get It and What Is Included

What is Social Assistance (Sozialhilfe)?

Social assistance (Sozialhilfe) is government support for people who cannot provide themselves with a basic standard of living and do not have the right to other types of benefits. It is part of the social system or welfare state in Germany.

Social assistance is support for those who cannot work and do not have enough money to live on.

The legal basis for social assistance is Book XII of the German Social Code (SGB XII). It sets out who can receive help, what expenses are covered, and how payments are calculated.

Social assistance is considered the "last resort". This means it is only given when a person has no sufficient income or assets, does not receive enough insurance payments (such as unemployment benefit or pension), and has no other legal means of support.

Unlike Bürgergeld, social assistance is usually intended for people who are unable to work — for example, elderly people with a low pension or people with a permanent disability. Other types of support, such as Bürgergeld and unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld), are available for those who can work. You can read about these on other pages of our website.

The main aim of Sozialhilfe is to ensure a person has a decent standard of living, including food, housing, healthcare, and the chance to take part in society.

Who Can Get Sozialhilfe?

The following groups of people usually have the right to Sozialhilfe:

• Elderly people, if their pension is not enough to cover their basic needs.
• People who are fully or partly unable to work (permanent disability).
• People who cannot work because of health reasons and are unable to work more than 3 hours a day.
• People in temporary serious life situations, if there are no other sources of support.

You must legally live in Germany and actually stay in the country.

When you apply, the authorities will check all your income (pensions, payments, maintenance, etc.), any assets or savings you have, and whether you can get help from other people or organisations. If your income and assets are not enough for a basic standard of living, you may get social assistance.

What Types of Social Assistance Are There?

Social assistance in Germany is regulated by SGB XII and includes several types of payments or support. Depending on your situation, you may receive one or more types of help.

Each type of social assistance is covered by a separate chapter of SGB XII and is given depending on the applicant’s personal situation.

Table 1: Types of Social Assistance in Germany under SGB XII

Social assistance in Germany has several types and is chosen individually depending on your age, health, and financial situation.

How Much Is Social Assistance and What Does It Cover?

Social assistance covers the minimum necessary living expenses. The exact payments depend on the type of help and your personal situation, but usually the support includes several main parts.

Social assistance only covers essential expenses to ensure a decent standard of living, not all personal needs.

• The basic amount (Regelbedarf): a fixed monthly payment for food, clothing, personal hygiene, household goods, electricity (not heating), transport, and taking part in society.
• Housing and heating costs: paid if they are considered “reasonable” (angemessen). This covers rent and actual heating costs.
• Payments for school supplies (Schulbedarf): extra payments for children at school age to buy things like books and stationery. Usually paid twice a year.
• Medical care: if you are not insured or cannot pay medical costs yourself.
• Extra payments (Mehrbedarf): for example, if you are pregnant, disabled, need special food, or are raising a child alone.
• One-off payments: in special cases, such as when moving into a new home or buying necessary furniture.

The amount you get is calculated individually based on your income, assets, and family situation. If you have your own money or property, this will be taken into account when working out your benefit.

Table 2: Main Amounts for Social Assistance (Regelbedarf),
valid from 1 January 2026

The amounts in Table 2 cover basic costs like food, clothing, household needs, and taking part in society. Housing and heating costs are paid separately.

Payments for School Supplies for Children (Schulbedarf)

If you have children at school age, you can get extra support called Schulbedarf. This is a payment to help buy school things such as backpacks, exercise books, and stationery. It is usually paid twice a year before each school term starts. The amount is set by the government and updated every year. The current total is 195.00 € euros per child per year. This includes 130.00 € paid at the start of the school year (usually in August), and 65.00 € paid in the second half of the year (usually in February). This payment is made automatically together with your main benefit.

How to Apply for Social Assistance

The office responsible for social assistance is called the Sozialamt, which is the local social services office where you live. You can contact them in person, by post, or in some cities online through the local council’s website.

You will not get social assistance automatically. You must make an official application (Antrag) and provide documents showing your personal and financial situation.

You will usually need these documents:

• Your passport or identity card (Personalausweis);
• Papers showing your income (for example, pension notice or payslips from the last 6 months);
• Your bank statements from the last 3 months;
• Papers showing any assets (savings books, investment funds, savings agreements, life insurance etc.);
• Your insurance policies (for example, home or liability insurance);
• Your rental contract or documents showing you own your home and your current housing costs;
• Papers showing you receive Kindergeld or Wohngeld (if you do);
• Court decisions about divorce or documents about maintenance payments (if this applies);
• A disability ID card Schwerbehindertenausweis (if you have one);
• Your social insurance number (Sozialversicherung);
• Medical certificates (for example, about pregnancy, special dietary needs or need for care).

The authorities will check all your information and calculate how much help you can get. After they review your case, you will get a written decision (Bescheid), which tells you if you will get help, how much it will be, and how long it will last.

The time it takes to process your application can vary depending on your situation but usually takes several weeks. In urgent cases, temporary financial help may be possible.

If you do not agree with the decision, you can make an official appeal (Widerspruch) within one month from when you receive the letter.

You should apply as early as possible because payments usually start from the month you apply — not before that.

Useful Tips When Applying for Benefits

Applying for social benefits in Germany needs careful attention. The more organised you are when applying, the less likely there will be delays or refusals. The following tips will help you avoid mistakes and problems with your application.

• Check which benefits you can get. Depending on your age, residence status, family situation and income, you may be able to get different types of support.
• Ask about extra payments that might be available. In addition to the main benefit there may be extra payments (for example for children, rent or education).
• Do not delay applying. For most benefits, payments start from the month when you apply — not before that (except in rare cases).
• If language is a problem, take an interpreter with you. If needed, you can go with someone who speaks German or ask if advice is available in another language.
• Apply as early as possible. The system in Germany is very bureaucratic and processing documents can take time. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will get payments.
• Fill out all forms completely and include all required documents. Usually you need proof of income, rent contract, bank statements and other papers. To avoid delays it’s best to prepare these documents early on.
• Keep copies of all documents and proof that you have applied. If sending by post use registered mail; if applying online keep electronic confirmation.
• Check your post regularly. The authorities may ask for extra documents with a deadline. Missing this deadline could stop your payments.
• Read your decision (Bescheid) carefully. Compare their calculation with your own information. If there is a mistake you can make a Widerspruch, usually within one month.
• Remember that benefits are given for a limited time only. When your decision period ends you must apply again. Payments do not continue automatically.
• You may be checked for income and assets at any time. The authorities will check if you can pay your own expenses first.
• You must report any changes in your life immediately. Changes like new income, moving house, starting work or changes in family size must be reported straight away. Otherwise your benefit may be recalculated and you might have to pay money back.