Apply for one-off benefits

For one-off benefits, please contact your local job centre by phone, e-mail or in person. They will provide you with further information and an application form if you need one. Alternatively, you can also apply for the benefits online using the digital application for citizens' benefit.

• Fill out the application form or write a reasoned informal application, depending on the specifications of your responsible job centre.
• Send the application to the Jobcenter. In it, you have to prove your need. Attach the necessary documents requested by the Jobcenter, which prove the need and are required for the examination.
• The Jobcenter will review your application. Evidence from a third party (e.g. your landlord) may be required to check whether you need one-off services. Ultimately, the authority makes a decision on a case-by-case basis. You will then receive a notification from the Jobcenter. There are three possible choices:
  • the application is approved,
  • the application is granted in part,
  • the application is rejected.
• The Jobcenter will pay you the approved amount or send you the benefit in kind (voucher).

If you are able to work and are unlikely to be able to cover your living expenses financially at the moment and in the next 6 months, you can apply for citizens' allowance for one-off benefits as a cash benefit or benefit in kind (voucher). The one-time service must also be necessary. The benefit is then to be used exclusively for what has been applied for, i.e. for

• the initial furnishing of the apartment,
• the initial equipment for clothing and initial equipment for pregnancy and childbirth,
• the purchase and repair of orthopaedic shoes,
• the repairs of therapeutic devices and equipment, as well as the rental of therapeutic equipment.

• Identity card or passport
• Proof of income
• if necessary:
  • Proof of assets
  • Rental agreement, proof of rent payment or house charges
  • Maternity record or medical certificate of the date of delivery
  • Prescription
  • Quotes

Please ask the Jobcenter responsible for you which documents you need to submit for your case.

You don't have to pay any costs if you have an account. If you do not have an account, you will receive a payment instruction to offset a cash payment (ZzV-Bar). That's a check. However, this will incur costs that will be deducted directly from the benefit to which you are entitled. Since the amount of the costs for the payment order can vary, please contact your local job centre for more information. You can have the cheque paid out in cash. Payments are made exclusively through Postbank branches. The ZzV-Bar is a means of payment provided by Postbank AG, the use of which has been agreed separately between the Federal Employment Agency and Postbank.

Make the application before you make the purchases, as one-time services are only provided if the need is not yet met.

Your application may take several weeks to process.

Forms available: Depending on the job centre
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: No
Online services available: Yes

• Contradiction
• Summary proceedings before the Social Court
• Appeal to the Social Court

The one-off services are provided under the responsibility of the local authorities (independent cities and districts). The amount of benefits may therefore vary from region to region.

Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS)

08.03.2023

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.