Benefits under the Basic Income Security Program for the Elderly and Persons with Reduced Earning Capacity are intended to ensure that basic human needs are met, such as food, clothing, personal hygiene, household goods, household energy, personal needs of daily life, as well as adequate housing and heating. With the exception of housing and heating, these benefits are generally provided as lump-sum payments in the form of standard rates. Individual grants are considered only under specific circumstances.

In addition, additional needs are recognized in the case of

• old age and proof of the “G” designation,
• full loss of earning capacity and proof of the “G” designation,
• pregnancy,
• single-parent households,
• special dietary needs due to illness,
• Hot water with a decentralized hot water supply,
• communal lunches in residential care facilities for people with disabilities or comparable institutions, and
• beneficiaries with disabilities who receive assistance for school or higher education pursuant to Section 112 of SGB IX.

In addition, reasonable health and long-term care insurance premiums may be taken into account.

You can obtain further information and counseling from the responsible agency.

• Proof of identity (e.g., ID card)
• Receipts for expenses:
• Rental agreement or property tax bill (each indicating the year built and size of the apartment)
• Receipts for gas, water, and electricity bills
• Insurance (policies and premium invoices), such as home contents, liability, life, and funeral insurance
• Possibly premium invoices for voluntary health and long-term care insurance, etc.
• Proof of income, e.g., pension statement, Unemployment Benefit II notice, housing allowance notice, pay stubs, etc.
• Documents regarding assets: bank statements for the last three months, savings accounts, fixed-term deposit accounts, securities accounts, land registry extract, etc.