Citizen’s money (Bürgergeld)

Who is entitled to Citizen’s Income?

1. Citizens of Germany and foreign persons with the right of residence:
– German citizens.
– Foreigners with a long-term right of residence and work in Germany, including citizens of the EU and the EEA, as well as refugees and persons with temporary protection status.

2. Low earners:
– Persons whose income and assets are not sufficient to secure their basic livelihood.

3. Unemployed and low earners:
– Persons who are looking for work or are only marginally employed.

4. Persons without entitlement to other social benefits:
– Persons who cannot receive other social benefits or pensions.

The process of applying for Citizen’s Income involves several steps:

1. Preparation of the required documents:
– Passport or identity card.
– Registration certificate.
– Proofs of income and expenses.
– Proofs of assets (bank accounts, real estate, etc.).
– Rental agreement and proofs of utilities

2. Filling out the application:
– The application can be filled out online on the website of the Jobcenter or collected in paper form at the Jobcenter branch.

3. Submission of the application:
– The application can be submitted personally to the Jobcenter, by post, email, or online via the Jobcenter portal.

Deadlines for application and processing

1. Deadlines for application:
– An application for Citizen’s Income can be submitted at any time as soon as there is a need for support.

2. Processing times for the application:
– The Jobcenter usually processes applications within 4 to 6 weeks. In some cases, the process may take longer if additional information or documents are required.

3. Receipt of the notification:
– After reviewing the application, the Jobcenter will send a notification with the decision. If the application is approved, payments will be made from the date of application.

Obligations of Citizen’s Income Recipients

Citizen’s Income recipients are obliged to:
1. Actively look for work:
– Regular visits to the Jobcenter and fulfillment of all labor market measures.

2. Communicate changes:
– Inform the Jobcenter of all changes in life that may affect the entitlement to benefits, e.g. changes in income, change of residence, or changes in marital status.

3. Participate in employment promotion measures:
– Participation in proposed qualification, retraining, or employment measures.

Further information can be found at: Rights and obligations of applicants in relation to the Jobcenter.

In which cases can an interest-free loan be granted?

An interest-free loan may be granted in the following situations:
1. Urgent home repairs:
For example, emergency repairs to heating, water supply, or other essential systems.
2. Replacement of necessary household equipment:
Such as replacing a broken refrigerator, stove, or washing machine that is essential for daily life.
3. Medical expenses:
Urgent medical costs not covered by health insurance but necessary for health.
4. Unavoidable family expenses:
For example, costs related to the birth of a child, a funeral, or other significant family events.
5. Other emergencies:
Any other unforeseen and urgent financial needs that cannot be postponed.

How to apply for an interest-free loan?

The application procedure for an interest-free loan involves several steps:
1. Preparation of documents:
– Prepare all required documents that prove the necessity of the loan. This may include invoices, certificates, receipts, or other evidence.

2. Filling out the application:
– Fill out the application form. There is usually a special form for this.

3. Writing a cover letter:
– Explain in the letter why you need the loan, state the desired amount, and attach all evidence. The letter should be clear and detailed.

4. Submission of the application:
– The application can be submitted personally at the Jobcenter or sent by post. Be sure to keep a copy of the application and the confirmation of submission.

What are cash bonuses from the Jobcenter?

Cash bonuses from the Jobcenter are financial incentives granted to Citizen’s Income recipients for achieving certain goals related to employment, vocational training, and personal development. These premiums are intended to promote active participation in measures that improve the professional situation of benefit recipients.

Who receives cash bonuses?

Cash bonuses are awarded to Citizen’s Income recipients who:
1. Complete vocational training or qualification courses:
– Successful completion of courses to improve professional skills and competencies.

2. Actively look for work and take up employment:
– Successful placement in a permanent position or acceptance of a temporary job.

3. Show initiative for personal development and educational projects:
– Participation in educational and cultural events for personal development and social integration.

4. Implement individual integration plans (integration agreement):
– Achieving the goals agreed in the individual integration plan with the Jobcenter.

What are cash bonuses awarded for?

Cash bonuses can be granted for the following services:
1. Completion of courses and further training:
– Successful completion of vocational training, further training measures, or retraining programs.

2. Taking up employment:
– Taking up a job, especially with permanent employment or a significant improvement in working conditions.

3. Achieving defined goals:
– Fulfillment of the measures defined in the individual integration plan.

How to apply for a cash bonus?

1. Contact your caseworker at the Jobcenter:
– Inform your contact person about your achievements and discuss the possibility of receiving a cash bonus.

2. Collect the required documents:
– Prepare all evidence, such as certificates of completion of courses, employment contracts, employer certificates, and other proof of your achievements.

3. Fill out the application:
– The Jobcenter will provide you with an application form for the cash bonus. Fill it out completely and attach the required documents.

4. Submit the application:
– The application can be submitted personally at the Jobcenter, by post, or – if available – via the online portal.

When are advance payments granted?

Advance payments may be granted in the following cases:

1. Acute financial hardship:
If the applicant is unable to cover their basic living needs (e.g., food, housing) until the main application is approved.

2. Delays in application processing:
If the processing of the Bürgergeld application is delayed and the applicant requires financial support during the transition period.

3. Need to cover urgent expenses:
In cases of unforeseen and urgent expenses, such as medical bills or necessary home repairs.

Who can receive advance payments?

Advance payments may be granted to the following groups of people:

1. Bürgergeld applicants awaiting processing:
Individuals who have already submitted a Bürgergeld application but have not yet received approval.

2. Applicants experiencing delays in processing:
Individuals whose Bürgergeld application is taking longer than usual to be processed.

3. People in acute financial distress:
Individuals facing financial hardship who require immediate assistance.

Conditions for Receiving an Advance Payment

To receive an advance payment, the following conditions must be met:
1. A submitted Bürgergeld application:
The application for regular Bürgergeld must already have been submitted to the Jobcenter.

2. Proof of financial hardship:
The applicant must provide evidence of their acute financial distress, such as invoices for rent, utilities, medical expenses, etc.

3. Completion and submission of the advance payment application:
The advance payment application must be completed and submitted to the Jobcenter.

How to Apply for an Advance Payment?

1. Contact your caseworker at the Jobcenter:
Reach out to your contact person at the Jobcenter and explain your situation. Indicate that you need an advance payment.

2. Gather the required documents:
Prepare all necessary proof, such as invoices for rent, utilities, medical expenses, etc.

3. Complete the advance payment application:
The Jobcenter will provide you with the relevant application form. Fill it out and attach the required documents.

4. Submit the application:
The application can be submitted in person at the Jobcenter, by mail, or—if available—through the online portal.

Types of Additional and Special Needs

1. Additional Costs for Children:
– Expenses for kindergarten or school
– Special courses or tutoring

2. Health Expenses:
– Medical supplies not covered by health insurance
– Wheelchairs, hearing aids, and other special assistive devices

3. Housing Costs:
– Additional heating or electricity costs
– Modifications for barrier-free living

4. Social Activities:
Participation in sports or cultural events for children with special needs

How to Apply for Additional and Special Needs

To apply for additional and special needs, you must complete a specific form. The steps are as follows:

1. Gather Documents:
Collect all proof of your additional expenses (receipts, medical certificates, confirmations from educational institutions, etc.).

2. Fill Out the Form:
Special application forms are available on our website. Please read the instructions carefully.

3. Submit the Application:
Submit the completed form along with the required documents to the responsible social authority (e.g., Jobcenter or Social Welfare Office).

4. Wait for the Decision:
After submitting your application, you will receive a notification regarding its status. Processing may take some time.

How to Apply for Exemption from the Broadcasting Fee

1. Proof of Eligibility for Exemption:
You need an official document confirming that you receive Bürgergeld. This can be a letter from the Jobcenter or another social authority.

2. Submit an Exemption Application:
The relevant application form can be found on the ARD-ZDF website or at most social authorities.

3. Gather the Required Documents:
– A fully completed application form;
– A copy of the letter from the Jobcenter confirming your Bürgergeld benefits;
– Personal details (name, address, GEZ customer number, if available).

4. Submit the Application:
Send the application along with the required documents to the responsible broadcasting fee office. The address can be found on the ARD-ZDF website.

Special certificate from the job center

After applying for citizen’s benefit, the job center can issue you a special letter confirming your receipt of benefits. This letter serves as proof of exemption from the broadcasting fee.

Important instructions

– Exemption period:
The exemption is granted for a certain period of time. If your status changes (e.g. no longer receives citizen’s money), you must inform the fee office.

– Checking status:
Follow the progress of your application as additional evidence may be required.

– Other discounts:
If you are unsure whether you are entitled to further benefits, seek advice from a social worker or lawyer.

1. Requirements for Cost Coverage

The Jobcenter may decide to cover the moving costs for benefit recipients if the following requirements are met:

– Necessity of the move:
The move must be necessary due to certain circumstances. This may be the case, for example, due to taking up employment, improving the housing situation, or due to the need to change location due to a deterioration in health.

– Compliance with expenditure limits:
The Jobcenter often sets limits on the coverage of expenses. This may include the cost of renting trucks, paying for moving helpers, transporting personal belongings, and other related expenses.

2. What does the Jobcenter cover?

The Jobcenter can cover the following categories of moving costs:

– Transportation costs:
This may include renting a car for the move or paying professional movers.

– Packaging material:
This includes boxes, packing tape, and other materials you need to pack your belongings.

– Fuel:
If you use your own vehicle for the move, the Jobcenter can reimburse your fuel costs.

– Fees:
In some cases, the Jobcenter may also cover the administrative fees for a change of address.

3. How do I apply for a subsidy for moving costs?

If you are receiving Citizen’s Income and planning a move, follow these steps to apply for help from the Jobcenter:

1. Inform the job center:
The first step is to inform your job center about your upcoming move. This can be done in a personal conversation, in writing or via the online portal of your job center.

2. Collecting information and documents:
Prepare the necessary documentation, which may include:
– Justification for the need to move (e.g. a letter from your employer or a medical certificate).
– Estimated moving costs (e.g. truck rental invoices, preliminary estimates and transportation company estimates).

3. Fill out the appropriate forms:
You can find the forms required to apply for moving expenses on your local job center website. Make sure that you fill out all fields correctly and submit all documents.

4. Monitor the status of the application:
Once you have submitted your application, you should monitor the status of your application. The job center may contact you for additional information or clarification.

5. Receipt of a decision:
As soon as your application has been checked, the job center will inform you of the decision. If the funding is approved, you will receive further instructions on how to receive the funds.

1. What is collateral?

A security deposit is the amount of money that a tenant must pay to the landlord before they can start renting a home. This security deposit serves as a protection for the landlord in the event that tenants damage the property or are unable to pay rent. Usually, the amount of the deposit is 1-3 monthly rental payments.

2. Why does Jobcenter provide collateral credit?

The Jobcenter aims to help people in a difficult financial situation, including those who receive Bürgergeld (social benefits). The bail loan process provides easier access to housing, which in turn can improve the quality of life of benefit recipients.

3. Conditions for obtaining a loan for the payment of collateral

In order to receive a bond loan from the Jobcenter, the following conditions must be met:

– Receiving social benefits:
You must be a recipient of social benefits, such as Bürgergeld.

– Need to move:
There must be a justified case for moving, for example, improving housing conditions or the need to change residence for work.

– Proof of need:
You will need to provide documents to prove that you need to rent a new home, such as a lease agreement.

4. How much credit can be granted?

The amount that the Jobcenter can provide as a loan to pay the deposit is usually the amount of the deposit set out in the rental agreement. However, the Jobcenter can also set limits on the amount of credit. In general, this can amount to up to 3 monthly rental payments.

5. How to get a loan to pay the collateral?

If you would like to take out a bond credit, follow these steps:

1. Notification to the Jobcenter:
Contact your Jobcenter and let them know that you want to get a bond credit. This can be done in person, by phone, in writing or through your jobcenter’s online portal.

2. Gathering the necessary documents:
You will need to collect documents, which may include:
– A rental agreement that specifies the amount of the deposit.
– A certificate of your financial situation and proof of income.
– Other documents that confirm the need to move.

3. Fill out the application:
On the website of your local Jobcenter or at their office, you will find the necessary forms to apply for a loan. Make sure that you fill in all the fields correctly and provide all the documents.

4. Submitting the application:
Submit the completed application along with the collected documents to the Jobcenter. This can be done in person, by post or through the online portal of your Jobcenter.

5. Waiting for a decision:
The Jobcenter will review your application and notify you of the outcome. If the loan is approved, you will be informed about the next steps.

6. Important points

– Loan repayment:
Don’t forget that loans from Jobcenter are usually interest-free, but require repayment within a certain time frame. After you get the deposit back from your landlord, you can use these funds to repay your Jobcenter loan.

– Application Deadlines:
Submit your application as early as possible to avoid delays in obtaining your apartment, especially if you need to move quickly.

– Counselling:
If you are having difficulty submitting an application or are missing the necessary information, it is recommended that you contact a social worker or counsellor at the Jobcenter.

1. Requirements for driving school funding from the job center

The job center can cover the costs of driving school training in the following cases:

– Need for a driving license for work:
If a driver’s license is a requirement for your current or future employment. This is especially true for jobs that require travel or involve specialized vehicles.

– Professional retraining:
If you are planning a career change and a driving license is required, e.g. E.g. a change to a job that requires possession of a class B or C driving license.

– Medical reasons:
In some cases, the job center may consider financing if there is a medical need (e.g. if you cannot use public transport for health reasons).

– Justification of financial necessity:
You have to convince the job center that your chances of getting a job without a driving license are significantly reduced.

2. What costs does the job center cover?

The job center can cover the following costs related to driving school training:

– Theory and practical lessons at driving school
– Preparatory courses if necessary
– Examination fees (e.g. for the theory and practical exams)
– Additional costs, such as: B. Medical certificates if required

3. How do you apply for funding for driving school?

If you would like to apply for financing for driving school training through the job center, follow these steps:

1. Inform the job center:
Contact your local job center and inform them of your intention to obtain a driving license. This can be done in person, by telephone, by post or via your job center’s online portal.

2. Collect necessary documents:
You must prepare the following documents:

– Letter of motivation in which you explain why the driving license is necessary for your professional future

– Evidence of financial difficulties if required

– Copy of the contract with the driving school (if any) or a cost estimate

3. Fill out the application form:
The form is available on the job center website or directly in the office. Fill it out completely.

4. Submit an application:
Submit the completed application along with the required documents to the job center. This can be done in person, by post or via the online portal.

5. Waiting for the decision:
The job center will check your application and inform you of the result. Please note that processing may take some time.

4. Important information

– Timely application:
Submit your application as early as possible to avoid delays and secure funding before the course begins.

– Advice:
If you have any questions or are unsure, get advice from a social worker at the job center.

– Emphasize urgency:
Make it clear why a driver’s license is essential for your future career. A well-founded argument increases the chances of approval.

The job center offers a valuable opportunity to finance driving training, which can significantly improve your chances on the job market. If you need the driver’s license, follow the steps above to benefit from this assistance.

1. What is the Further Training Allowance?

The Further Training Allowance is a monthly financial support for individuals participating in further training or retraining measures. This support aims to reduce the financial burden on participants. Currently, the support amounts to 150 euros per month.

Who can receive the Further Training Allowance?
– Recipients of social benefits (e.g., citizen’s allowance)
– Participants in vocational qualification measures approved by the Jobcenter or other educational institutions

2. Bonuses for Passed Exams

After successfully passing the intermediate exam and final exam, further training participants can receive additional financial bonuses:

– Bonus for passing the intermediate exam: 1,000 euros.
– Bonus for passing the final exam: 1,500 euros.

These bonuses are intended to motivate participants to successfully complete their training and further develop their qualifications.

3. How to Apply for the Further Training Allowance and Bonuses?

In order to receive the Weiterbildungsgeld and corresponding bonuses, it is necessary to complete several steps:

1. Inform the Jobcenter:
Before applying for financial support, you should contact your Jobcenter to find out about the requirements and conditions.

2. Prepare necessary documents:
– Proof of participation in further training or retraining
– Certificates of passed exams (if required for the bonuses)

3. Fill out the application form:
You can obtain the required forms for the Weiterbildungsgeld and bonuses from your Jobcenter or on its official website.

4. Submit the application:
The completed application must be submitted to the Jobcenter together with the documents. This can be done in person, by post, or online.

5. Wait for the decision:
The Jobcenter will review the application and inform you of the result. Processing may take some time.