Benefits for education and participation; application

The benefits for education and participation give children, teenagers and young adults from financially disadvantaged families the opportunity to take advantage of school and leisure activities if they would otherwise not be able to afford them, thus giving them better opportunities for education and development.

The benefits for education and participation include:

Excursions and school trips lasting several days

The costs for one-day excursions from schools and trips lasting several days within the framework of school regulations are covered in the actual amount if all requirements are met. The same applies to one-day excursions and trips lasting several days for children who attend a day care center or for whom day care is provided.

Personal school supplies

Pupils will receive an allowance of EUR 195 for school equipment (e.g. for school bags, sports equipment and writing, arithmetic and drawing materials) in the calendar year 2025 in two installments (generally EUR 130 on August 1 and EUR 65 on February 1). The personal school requirements are adjusted annually by the same percentage as the standard requirements.

School transportation

For pupils who are dependent on school transport to attend the nearest school of the chosen course of education, the actual expenses required for this are taken into account, provided the transport costs are not covered elsewhere. In Bavaria, school transport may be covered by other means, in particular by the regulations on free travel to and from school (see "Related topics"). There is no provision for a regular personal contribution.

Learning support

Pupils receive appropriate learning support insofar as this complements the school curriculum and is suitable and additionally necessary to achieve the main learning objectives. This does not necessarily require a risk of promotion. The prerequisite for this is that the school offers to be used primarily are not sufficient. The necessity of learning support can be confirmed by the school, for example.

Lunch

For each child entitled to benefits, the expenses for participation in communal lunchtime meals at school, in a child day care facility or in child day care are paid. The child's own contribution per lunch is not charged.

Support for participation in the areas of culture, sport, games, socializing and leisure activities

Until they reach the age of 18, children/young people entitled to benefits have at least EUR 15 per month at their disposal for attending a sports club or music school, for example, and incurring contributions or costs for equipment. The participation budget can be saved to a limited extent.

Eligible for benefits for education and participation are children, adolescents and young adults up to the age of 25 (except: benefits to support participation in the areas of culture, sport, games, socializing and leisure activities - age limit there: 18 years) who cannot cover their education and participation needs from their own income and assets or their family's own income and assets and who are therefore entitled to basic income support for jobseekers or social assistance (or are only not entitled because all needs are covered except for the need for education and participation), or are entitled to benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act or whose families receive child supplement or housing benefit.

We recommend that you contact the relevant office directly to check the specific requirements for the individual educational and participation benefits.

Claims for benefits under the education and participation package for recipients of basic benefits for jobseekers must be made within a current approval period.

In general, a prior application is required for all benefits of the education and participation package within the framework of social welfare and the enforcement of the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act - with the exception of school requirements.

Claims to benefits under the education and participation package for families with child supplement or housing benefit expire 12 months after the end of the calendar month in which they arose.

• Application for education and participation housing benefit
• Application for education and participation for social services and asylum
• Information sheet on education and participation
• Confirmation of the school's need for learning support

none

• § Section 2 of the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (AsylbLG)
• § 28 Social Security Code II
• § Section 3 of the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (AsylbLG)
• § 34 Social Code XII
• § Section 6b of the Federal Child Benefit Act (BKGG)

• Education package

  The education package promotes and supports children and young people from low-income families.

Basic income support for jobseekers

If you have already submitted a "basic application" for basic benefits for jobseekers, it is currently not necessary to submit a separate application for education and participation benefits.

In this case, you can submit an informal application for education and participation benefits to the job center responsible for your place of residence or to the independent city or district office. The required attachments must be submitted.

If you are not yet receiving basic benefits for jobseekers, you must submit an application.

Benefits within the framework of social assistance

A prior application is required for all benefits of the education and participation package - with the exception of school requirements. A separate application must also be submitted for learning support benefits. The application must be submitted to the social welfare agency responsible for your place of residence (district town or district office).

Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (AsylbLG)

A prior application is required for all benefits of the education and participation package - with the exception of school requirements. A separate application must also be submitted for learning support benefits. The application must be submitted to the local provider of AsylbLG benefits responsible for your place of residence (independent city or district office).

Child supplement and housing benefit

If you receive child supplement or housing benefit, a separate application is required for education and participation benefits. The application can be submitted informally, e.g. by e-mail.

In this case, the application must be submitted to the locally responsible district office or the locally responsible independent city.

Information at the district office:

• SG52: Youth welfare office
• SG23: WoGG (housing benefit) / BKGG (child allowance)
• Jobcenter: SGB II (ALG II / Hartz IV)
• SG51: SGB XII (basic security / social assistance), general information on social assistance law
• SG54: Asylum matters