Benefits

Here you'll find guides, instructions, and application templates for benefits.
Not recommended for those in the process of obtaining a residence permit. This is grounds for refusal by immigration officials.

If there is no work or low income

Kindergeld
Elterngeld (child care allowance)
Kinderzuschlag (low-income supplement)
Unterhaltsvorschuss (advance payment of alimony)
Mutterschaftsgeld (maternity benefit)
Kinderkrankengeld (§ 45 SGB V)

If there are children

Benefits for illness, disability or care

Pflegegeld (care allowance for a relative)
Erwerbsminderungsrente (partial/total disability pension)
Schwerbehinderten-Ausgleich (Disability benefits)
Krankengeld (§ 44 SGB V)
Übergangsgeld (§ 20 SGB VI / SGB IX)

If your income is low, but you have a job

Wohngeld (to pay for housing)
Sozialleistungen / benefits

Allowances for housing and basic needs (regardless of work)

Manuals for students and learners

BAföG (government aid for education)

Other benefits and privileges

Asylbewerberleistungen (benefits for asylum seekers)
Mehrbedarf (additional payment for special needs: pregnancy, disability, diet, single parenting)
Einmalige Leistungen (disposable: apartment furnishings, school supplies, moving)
Bildung und Teilhabe (BuT) (education/leisure benefits for children from low-income families)