Your address decides which office is yours
A single city can have many offices for living-cost support, each looking after certain districts or surnames, and some also help older people or people with disabilities. Look up your city to see what each office handles, how it wants to be contacted first and what to bring to the visit.
Munich
Streitfeldstraße 23, 81673 Munich
Book through the appointment form, which asks for your street so you reach the right location.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Werner-Schlierf-Straße 9, 81539 Munich
Check that your street belongs to Obergiesing-Fasangarten or Untergiesing–Harlaching before you travel.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Ridlerstraße 75, 80339 Munich
It shares a building with the city’s social department but has its own phone number and reception hours.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Schwanthalerstraße 62, 80336 Munich
Covers Altstadt–Lehel, Ludwigsvorstadt–Isarvorstadt and Maxvorstadt, so check your street before travelling.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Ehrenbreitsteiner Straße 24, 80993 Munich
Book or call if you live in Neuhausen–Nymphenburg or Moosach, but a booking does not guarantee benefits.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Knorrstraße 101–103, 80807 Munich
Call the hotline for Milbertshofen–Am Hart and Feldmoching–Hasenbergl, as it is open longer than the reception.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Orleansplatz 11, 81667 Munich
Covers Au–Haidhausen and Bogenhausen, and its web page warns about building work, so read it before you go.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Thomas-Dehler-Straße 16, 81737 Munich
For people in Ramersdorf–Perlach, with reception on weekday mornings and Thursday afternoons and a phone line open later.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Heidemannstraße 170, 80939 Munich
Confirm with the job centre that your address belongs to the Schwabing-West or Schwabing–Freimann area before you apply.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Meindlstraße 20, 81373 Munich
Covers Sendling and Sendling-Westpark, and the benefit you may know as Bürgergeld is now called Grundsicherungsgeld.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Schertlinstraße 2, 81379 Munich
Enter your street in the appointment form and it will show which location is responsible for you.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Landsberger Straße 474, 81241 Munich
The branch for Pasing–Obermenzing, Aubing–Lochhausen–Langwied and Allach–Untermenzing, so confirm your street before you go.
Ask which identity, income, household and housing-cost evidence your case needs, and have any existing case reference ready. Explain whether this is a first application or an existing claim. Current recipients do not need to reapply solely because Bürgergeld was renamed; older decisions remain valid.
Munich
Franziskanerstraße 6–8, 81669 Munich
Explain your situation so staff can point you to help such as emergency accommodation and other advice services.
Explain that you have no fixed address and ask how to provide contact details and receive correspondence. Ask which identity, income and existing-benefit documents are needed, and bring an existing case reference if available. Confirm the first-application arrangements directly with ZWI; the ordinary street-based office finder may not fit your situation.
Munich
Streitfeldstraße 23, 81673 Munich
Arrange a personal appointment for advice on living-cost help, including support in old age or when you cannot work for good.
Bring valid ID/passport and financial evidence such as rent contract, electricity bill, pension or earnings decisions, bank statements, savings and relevant family/care benefits. For municipal SGB (German Social Code) XII help, complete basic application part 1 and the relevant part 2 for subsistence or old-age/disability support; sign and submit paper forms with evidence to the responsible centre or bring them to the appointment. Add household/maintenance forms where applicable. Ask the caseworker which support and documents apply before using the separate Jobcenter online application.
Munich
Werner-Schlierf-Straße 9, 81539 Munich
Use the city’s address search to find the social services centre responsible for your home before you go.
Bring valid ID/passport and financial evidence such as rent contract, electricity bill, pension or earnings decisions, bank statements, savings and relevant family/care benefits. For municipal SGB (German Social Code) XII help, complete basic application part 1 and the relevant part 2 for subsistence or old-age/disability support; sign and submit paper forms with evidence to the responsible centre or bring them to the appointment. Add household/maintenance forms where applicable. Ask the caseworker which support and documents apply before using the separate Jobcenter online application.
Munich
Ridlerstraße 75, 80339 Munich
Arrange a personal appointment, since your income, savings, household and rent all affect what help you can get.
Bring valid ID/passport and financial evidence such as rent contract, electricity bill, pension or earnings decisions, bank statements, savings and relevant family/care benefits. For municipal SGB (German Social Code) XII help, complete basic application part 1 and the relevant part 2 for subsistence or old-age/disability support; sign and submit paper forms with evidence to the responsible centre or bring them to the appointment. Add household/maintenance forms where applicable. Ask the caseworker which support and documents apply before using the separate Jobcenter online application.
Munich
Schwanthalerstraße 62, 80336 Munich
Call the city’s social information line to arrange a personal appointment, or contact your caseworker if you already have one.
Bring valid ID/passport and financial evidence such as rent contract, electricity bill, pension or earnings decisions, bank statements, savings and relevant family/care benefits. For municipal SGB (German Social Code) XII help, complete basic application part 1 and the relevant part 2 for subsistence or old-age/disability support; sign and submit paper forms with evidence to the responsible centre or bring them to the appointment. Add household/maintenance forms where applicable. Ask the caseworker which support and documents apply before using the separate Jobcenter online application.
Munich
Ehrenbreitsteiner Straße 24, 80993 Munich
Help with living costs is handled separately from job centre support, which needs its own application.
Bring valid ID/passport and financial evidence such as rent contract, electricity bill, pension or earnings decisions, bank statements, savings and relevant family/care benefits. For municipal SGB (German Social Code) XII help, complete basic application part 1 and the relevant part 2 for subsistence or old-age/disability support; sign and submit paper forms with evidence to the responsible centre or bring them to the appointment. Add household/maintenance forms where applicable. Ask the caseworker which support and documents apply before using the separate Jobcenter online application.
Munich
Knorrstraße 101, Eingang 101, Rückgebäude 103, 80807 Munich
Arrange a personal appointment, and if the usual weekday hours do not suit you, a time outside them can be agreed.
Bring valid ID/passport and financial evidence such as rent contract, electricity bill, pension or earnings decisions, bank statements, savings and relevant family/care benefits. For municipal SGB (German Social Code) XII help, complete basic application part 1 and the relevant part 2 for subsistence or old-age/disability support; sign and submit paper forms with evidence to the responsible centre or bring them to the appointment. Add household/maintenance forms where applicable. Ask the caseworker which support and documents apply before using the separate Jobcenter online application.
Munich
Orleansplatz 11, 81667 Munich
Ask general questions or hand in documents the team has asked for at the information desk.
Bring valid ID/passport and financial evidence such as rent contract, electricity bill, pension or earnings decisions, bank statements, savings and relevant family/care benefits. For municipal SGB (German Social Code) XII help, complete basic application part 1 and the relevant part 2 for subsistence or old-age/disability support; sign and submit paper forms with evidence to the responsible centre or bring them to the appointment. Add household/maintenance forms where applicable. Ask the caseworker which support and documents apply before using the separate Jobcenter online application.
Related services
For freelancers, sole traders and new business owners. See how tax registration works, what the Steuernummer is for and which tax office can help.
For people who already live in Germany and move to a new home. See how to update your registered address and which office takes it.
For students, workers and family members from outside the EU. See which office handles your stay and how applications start.
For anyone moving into a home in Germany from another country. See what the registration involves and which office in your city deals with it.
For anyone who has to show where they live. See what the certificate covers and which office in your city issues it.
For anyone giving up their last home in Germany. See when you need to report your departure and which office accepts it.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Murcia, Barcelona, and Zaragoza
Most offices in Białystok, Katowice, and Kielce
Most offices in Eindhoven, Enschede, and Breda
Most offices in Brussels, Ghent, and Charleroi
Most offices in Reykjavík, Akranes, and Akureyri
Where to next
For people who cannot cover rent, food or other basic costs. See whether the Sozialamt or the Jobcenter is your starting point and how to reach them.
Jump straight to another part of the manual.