Social assistance; applying for help to maintain the household

Persons with their own household for whom there is no entitlement to household help receive assistance within the framework of social welfare to continue running the household if none of the family members can run the household but it is necessary to continue running the household (e.g. in the event of illness or death of the housewife or mother).

The assistance includes the personal care of household members and other activities necessary for the continuation of the household (e.g. personal hygiene of children, house cleaning, laundry, supervision of household chores). If necessary assistance cannot be provided by close relatives or by way of neighborly help, the reasonable costs for a specialist (e.g. home and family caregiver) will be covered. In special cases, the costs of accommodating family members outside the family (e.g. in a home) will also be covered if this is necessary in addition to or instead of continuing to run the household.

• There is a household and neither the previous head of household (e.g. in the event of serious illness or deprivation of liberty) nor another member of the household can run the household.
• The continuation of the household is necessary and sensible (e.g. for families with underage children).
• There is a need (e.g. income limit according to § 85 SGB XII, basic amount of twice the standard needs level 1 + 70% of the standard needs level 1 for other family members + expenses for accommodation to a reasonable extent).
• The assistance is only necessary on a temporary basis. Exception: If the assistance prevents or delays placement in a home or similar institution, it can be granted for a longer, indefinite period.

This assistance begins as soon as the competent body or a body commissioned by it becomes aware that the conditions for the benefit are met.

• Identity card or passport (or other documents that can identify the person beyond doubt)
• If applicable, notification from the long-term care insurance fund and expert opinion from the medical service of the health insurance funds
• Medical documents, if available
• If applicable, notification from the pension office regarding the determination of a degree of disability (e.g. severely disabled person's pass)
• Proof of health and long-term care insurance
• Rejection notice from the health or long-term care insurance fund including reasons
• Proof of income
• Proof of assets (e.g. for capital-forming insurance (life insurance, building society insurance, Riester pension contracts, death benefit insurance, funeral provision and similar), savings accounts, land, real estate, valuables, motor vehicles)
• Account statements
• Tenancy agreement, rent change letter if applicable
• Further documents may be required. The scope of the required documents depends on the specifics of the individual case.

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• § Section 70 Social Code XII (SGB XII)

An appeal may be lodged against the decision of the competent authority 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.

You can first informally notify the responsible office of your need for assistance.

A fully completed social assistance application can be submitted at a later date.

As the competent body can only grant assistance from the time it learns of the applicant's need for assistance, the need for assistance should be notified as soon as possible. This notification can be made in writing, by telephone or in person.

Once the application has been submitted, the documents you have submitted will be checked and, if necessary, the need for care will be determined.

Your income and assets are also checked. If the person in need of care is a minor and unmarried, their parents' income and assets will be taken into account.

If all requirements are met, you will receive a notification of approval.

A decision on the application will be made immediately. The processing time depends, among other things, on the completeness of the information and the submission of the evidence required for processing the application.

• Social assistance; applying for assistance with living expenses