Assistance for subsistence: granting
The benefits are intended to ensure the basic needs of human existence, such as food, clothing, personal hygiene, household goods, household energy, personal needs of daily life as well as adequate accommodation and heating. The benefits - with the exception of accommodation and heating - are provided in the form of standard rates. Individual benefits are only considered under special circumstances.
Furthermore, additional needs due to
- Age and proof of the "G" sign,
- full reduction in earning capacity and proof of the "G" mark,
- pregnancy,
- single parenthood of children,
- costly nutrition in the event of illness and
- hot water with decentralized hot water supply
are recognized.
Reasonable health and long-term care insurance contributions are also eligible.
Assistance with living expenses is available to needy persons who are not entitled to basic security benefits in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity, unemployment benefit II and social benefit (i.e. who are themselves capable of working within the meaning of the German Social Code - Second Book (SGB II) or who live in a community of need with a person capable of working).
Social assistance is a subordinate benefit received by people who cannot help themselves. Claims against third parties - in particular maintenance claims - must always be pursued as a matter of priority. If they are not fulfilled in time and social assistance has to step in as a result, the claims are transferred to the competent body under certain conditions, which can then assert them in turn.
Further information and advice can be obtained from the responsible office.
Who should I contact?
Your local social welfare office
Note: If the application is submitted to a social welfare office that is not responsible, this office must forward the application to the responsible social welfare office. In this case, you will be informed that the application has been forwarded.
Responsible authorities
Landkreis Emsland - Fachbereich Soziales
Mo. - Do. 08:30 - 12:30 Uhr u. 14:30 - 16:00 Uhr
Fr. 08:30 - 12:30 Uhr
Requirements
Assistance with living expenses is available to needy persons who cannot or cannot sufficiently cover their necessary living expenses from their income and assets and who do not receive the necessary benefits from others. As a rule, assistance begins when the social welfare provider is informed that the requirements for the benefit have been met.
Which documents are required?
- Suitable proof of identity (e.g. identity card)
- Proof of expenditure: Rental agreement or house charges (in each case with year of construction and size of the apartment), receipts for gas/water/electricity bills, insurance policies (policies and contribution invoices), such as household contents, liability, life, death insurance, any contribution invoices for voluntary health and long-term care insurance, etc.
- Proof of income, e.g. pension certificate, unemployment benefit II certificate, housing benefit certificate, payslip, etc.
- Proof of assets: bank statements for the last three months, savings books, fixed-term deposit accounts, securities accounts, extract from the land register, etc.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
As a rule, assistance with living expenses begins on the day the social welfare provider is informed that the conditions for benefits have been met. Otherwise, please contact the responsible office.
Processing duration
Depending on the individual case
Appeal
An objection can be lodged against the decisions of the competent social assistance provider within one month of notification.
Once the objection procedure has been concluded by a notice of objection, an action may be brought before the Social Court within one month of notification.
