Social Benefits

# Securing livelihoods and government support

The government can provide people with more than just social allowance or basic security. In this area you will find additional information about support for people on low incomes.

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If you would like information about your future pension entitlements and your pension start date, you can request this informally at any time.

From your 27th birthday onwards, you will receive annual pension information from your pension insurance provider if you have paid contributions for a total of at least 5 years. You can also request the pension information informally at any time.

Damit keine Unterbrechung der Wohngeldzahlung eintritt, sollten Sie 2 Monate vor Ablauf des Bewilligungszeitraums einen Antrag auf Weiterleistung von Wohngeld stellen.

Victims of the SED dictatorship are entitled to a monthly victim's pension of up to 250 euros on application under certain conditions.

Persons who:

  • have suffered a total of at least 180 days of deprivation of liberty in violation of the rule of law,
  • there are no grounds for exclusion (violation of the principles of humanity or the rule of law, position seriously abused for one's own benefit or to the detriment of others, have significantly promoted the system of the time in the accession area or sentenced to a prison sentence of at least three years for an intentional crime, provided that the decision is contained in information from the Federal Central Register),
  • are particularly affected by their economic situation.

Some municipalities offer citizens who are dependent on state social benefits, for example, a special pass to take advantage of discounts.

If you have lost your job in the mining industry, you can receive a miners' compensation benefit (Knappschaftsausgleichsleistung, KAL) under certain conditions.

The senior citizens' pass is intended to make it easier for older people to maintain contact with their peers and to participate in social life.
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