Offices for social assistance across Germany

For support in old age or for reduced earning capacity, prepare an identity document, relevant disability evidence, documents showing current rent or owner-occupied housing costs and heating costs, complete bank statements for the last three months, proof of income and assets, and any relevant maintenance or separation documents. Evidence of other household members’ income may also be needed. This is not an exhaustive checklist, and Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt can require different documents; ask for the list for your case.

For support in old age or for reduced earning capacity, prepare an identity document, relevant disability evidence, documents showing current rent or owner-occupied housing costs and heating costs, complete bank statements for the last three months, proof of income and assets, and any relevant maintenance or separation documents. Evidence of other household members’ income may also be needed. This is not an exhaustive checklist, and Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt can require different documents; ask for the list for your case.

For support in old age or for reduced earning capacity, prepare an identity document, relevant disability evidence, documents showing current rent or owner-occupied housing costs and heating costs, complete bank statements for the last three months, proof of income and assets, and any relevant maintenance or separation documents. Evidence of other household members’ income may also be needed. This is not an exhaustive checklist, and Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt can require different documents; ask for the list for your case.

Prepare identity/residence evidence, household details, the last three months of bank statements, income evidence and housing/heating records. Use the additional forms indicated for your household; provide asset evidence when requested. Submit copies rather than original supporting documents and keep proof of submission. Missing evidence can follow the application, but send it promptly. An eligible claim can generally cover the application month; ask about your case rather than assuming automatic backdating. Since 1 July 2026, SGB (German Social Code) II cash support is called Grundsicherungsgeld. You may still see the older name Bürgergeld on some forms and letters. Existing decisions remain valid; do not submit a new claim solely because the benefit was renamed. Official forms and online services may still show the old name during the transition. Continue to follow your own renewal dates, evidence requests and change-reporting duties.

Prepare identity/residence evidence, household details, the last three months of bank statements, income evidence and housing/heating records. Use the additional forms indicated for your household; provide asset evidence when requested. Submit copies rather than original supporting documents and keep proof of submission. Missing evidence can follow the application, but send it promptly. An eligible claim can generally cover the application month; ask about your case rather than assuming automatic backdating. Since 1 July 2026, SGB (German Social Code) II cash support is called Grundsicherungsgeld. You may still see the older name Bürgergeld on some forms and letters. Existing decisions remain valid; do not submit a new claim solely because the benefit was renamed. Official forms and online services may still show the old name during the transition. Continue to follow your own renewal dates, evidence requests and change-reporting duties.

Prepare identity/residence evidence, household details, the last three months of bank statements, income evidence and housing/heating records. Use the additional forms indicated for your household; provide asset evidence when requested. Submit copies rather than original supporting documents and keep proof of submission. Missing evidence can follow the application, but send it promptly. An eligible claim can generally cover the application month; ask about your case rather than assuming automatic backdating. Since 1 July 2026, SGB (German Social Code) II cash support is called Grundsicherungsgeld. You may still see the older name Bürgergeld on some forms and letters. Existing decisions remain valid; do not submit a new claim solely because the benefit was renamed. Official forms and online services may still show the old name during the transition. Continue to follow your own renewal dates, evidence requests and change-reporting duties.

Prepare identity/residence evidence, household details, the last three months of bank statements, income evidence and housing/heating records. Use the additional forms indicated for your household; provide asset evidence when requested. Submit copies rather than original supporting documents and keep proof of submission. Missing evidence can follow the application, but send it promptly. An eligible claim can generally cover the application month; ask about your case rather than assuming automatic backdating. Since 1 July 2026, SGB (German Social Code) II cash support is called Grundsicherungsgeld. You may still see the older name Bürgergeld on some forms and letters. Existing decisions remain valid; do not submit a new claim solely because the benefit was renamed. Official forms and online services may still show the old name during the transition. Continue to follow your own renewal dates, evidence requests and change-reporting duties.

Prepare identity/residence evidence, household details, the last three months of bank statements, income evidence and housing/heating records. Use the additional forms indicated for your household; provide asset evidence when requested. Submit copies rather than original supporting documents and keep proof of submission. Missing evidence can follow the application, but send it promptly. An eligible claim can generally cover the application month; ask about your case rather than assuming automatic backdating. Since 1 July 2026, SGB (German Social Code) II cash support is called Grundsicherungsgeld. You may still see the older name Bürgergeld on some forms and letters. Existing decisions remain valid; do not submit a new claim solely because the benefit was renamed. Official forms and online services may still show the old name during the transition. Continue to follow your own renewal dates, evidence requests and change-reporting duties.

Prepare identity/residence evidence, household details, the last three months of bank statements, income evidence and housing/heating records. Use the additional forms indicated for your household; provide asset evidence when requested. Submit copies rather than original supporting documents and keep proof of submission. Missing evidence can follow the application, but send it promptly. An eligible claim can generally cover the application month; ask about your case rather than assuming automatic backdating. Since 1 July 2026, SGB (German Social Code) II cash support is called Grundsicherungsgeld. You may still see the older name Bürgergeld on some forms and letters. Existing decisions remain valid; do not submit a new claim solely because the benefit was renamed. Official forms and online services may still show the old name during the transition. Continue to follow your own renewal dates, evidence requests and change-reporting duties.