Professional rehabilitation for victims of political persecution; application for compensation benefits

Anyone who was prevented from practicing their profession or a socially equivalent profession in the GDR due to political persecution or who was unable to complete the vocational training they had started can be professionally rehabilitated.

The aim of the compensation payments is to compensate for the effects of persecution-related interventions from the period between May 8, 1945 and October 2, 1990 that can still be felt today. These interventions had the following consequences

• the persecuted persons were no longer able to pursue the profession they had previously practiced, started, learned, aspired to by starting vocational training or a socially equivalent profession,
   
• the students were not admitted to the Gymnasium, extended secondary school, university entrance qualification or Abitur examination or were unable to complete their education at the extended secondary school or their education not leading to the university entrance qualification.

Special assistance and social compensation benefits are provided in the form of support payments of EUR 180 or EUR 240 per month in the event of particular persecution-related need.

• The persecuted person must be recognized as such by the competent rehabilitation authority and have a certificate of rehabilitation.
   
• The period of persecution was at least 3 years or lasted until October 2, 1990.
   
• If the persecuted person receives a pension from the statutory pension insurance scheme, there must be more than 6 years between the start of the persecution period and the start of the pension payment.
   
• The persecuted pupil is particularly affected in his or her economic situation.
   

The compensation benefits are paid on application and are income-dependent.

There is no deadline.

• Copy of the birth certificate
• Copy of the registration certificate
• Rehabilitation certificate from the competent rehabilitation authority
• Proof of income

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• § Section 8 Act on the Compensation of Occupational Disadvantages for Victims of Political Persecution in the Accession Area - Occupational Rehabilitation Act (BerRehaG)

Objection, social court action

• Publication "Verwaltungsrechtliche Rehabilitierung - Berufliche Rehabilitierung" of the Federal Ministry of Justice

Submit an application for benefits to the social welfare agency responsible for your place of residence. The application does not require any special form.

The authority will check your application and may ask you to provide further evidence.

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