Apply for one-off benefits to cover living expenses for special needs

If you lack the money for necessary purchases in certain life situations, you can apply for one-time benefits.

If you have no or only a low income or assets available, you can apply for basic income support for one-off benefits in special situations. Situations in which you may be entitled to one-off benefits under certain conditions are, for example, when you:

• expecting a child and therefore needing new equipment and clothing
• having to purchase furniture or household appliances for the first time or after a divorce or separation
• need orthopedic shoes or need to have them repaired
• having to have therapeutic devices or equipment repaired

In these and other cases, you can receive either a cash benefit or a benefit in kind, such as vouchers, from the job center.

Contact your regionally responsible Jobcenter before submitting an application. In many cases, the Jobcenter uses its own application form, and sometimes an informal application with a justification is sufficient.

For one-time benefits, please contact your local job center by phone or in person. There you will receive further information and an application form, should you need one. Alternatively, you can also apply for the benefits online using the digital application for basic security benefits.

• Fill out the application form or write an informal application with a statement of reasons, depending on the requirements of your responsible job center.
• Send the application to the job center. Include the necessary documents requested by the job center.
• The Job Center is reviewing your application. In the process, additional proofs from third parties, for example from your landlord or landlady, may be required. The authority makes a case-by-case decision.
• You will then receive a notice from the job center. The application will either:
  • Approved,
  • partially approved or
  • Declined.

The Jobcenter will pay out the approved amount to you or send you the benefit in kind, such as a voucher.

Always submit the application before making the purchases, as you will only receive one-off benefits if the need has not yet been met.

• Objection
• Summary proceedings before the Social Court
• Lawsuit before the social court