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Apply for social assistance basic security in old age and in case of permanent incapacity for work

If you are a pensioner or are permanently unable to work and have too little money, you can receive basic social security under certain conditions.

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Detailed description

Basic social security is a state social benefit in Germany that provides financial support to people who cannot support themselves from their own income or assets. It serves to ensure a minimum standard of living and prevent poverty.



If you have reached retirement age or are permanently unable to work and your income or assets are insufficient, you can receive basic social security under certain conditions.



You can also apply for basic security if you

  • have reached the age of 18 and
  • can work less than 3 hours a day regardless of the current labor market situation and
  • this incapacity for work is unlikely to be remedied.

Such permanent incapacity for work is determined by the responsible pension insurance institution.



Basic security includes the following benefits:

  • Payments to cover living expenses (similar to citizen's allowance)
  • reasonable assumption of rent and heating costs
  • Support for special additional needs, for example in the case of illness or disability.
 

Information

Prerequisites

  • They live in Germany.
  • They are needy.
  • You have reached retirement age or
  • You are at least 18 years old and are unable to work permanently or only partially due to health restrictions (this applies to any activity, not just your most recent or trained profession) or
  • They go through the entry procedure and vocational training in a workshop for people with disabilities or with another service provider.

Documents required

  • identity card
  • completed application
  • Documents on income, liabilities and assets:
    • Rental agreement, current rental change letters, current utility and heating bills
    • Receipts for current expenses
    • if available: severely disabled person’s ID card
    • if available, when applying for full incapacity for work: legal opinion or decision of the pension provider or pension insurance company regarding permanent, full incapacity for work
    • if available: initial pension notice
    • Further documents may be required

Please note

If you receive basic security benefits in old age and in the event of permanent incapacity for work and additional benefits from integration assistance (EGH), you will receive the notifications in Hamburg from two different offices:

  • Integration assistance: From the Integration Assistance Department
  • Social assistance: From the responsible department for basic security and social affairs

Deadlines


  • You can receive benefits from the first day of the month in which you applied.

  • Benefits are normally granted for 12 months.

  • If the review of your application takes longer but you meet the requirements, you can receive provisional benefits for 6 months.

Procedure

  • You apply for basic security in old age and in the event of incapacity for work with the necessary documents at the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority will review your application and documents. If necessary, they will request additional documents or information from you.
  • The responsible agency will review your eligibility and decide on your application. They will calculate your needs and what benefits you are entitled to.
  • You will receive a notification.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case and can take up to six months.

Fees

no

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§§ 8 ff Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII)


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Last updated: 06.09.2025