A Guide to Basic Support in Old Age and Disability in Germany
What is it? Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung is a benefit under the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII). It guarantees the minimum subsistence level for two categories of people:
Pensioners whose pension is not sufficient to cover their needs
People with full or partial reduced earning capacity (Erwerbsminderung)
Important: This is not a pension. It is additional social assistance that the state pays on top of your income when your pension or other income is insufficient to reach the minimum level. What the benefit covers:
Basic needs (Regelbedarf)
Housing and heating costs (Kosten der Unterkunft und Heizung – KdU)
Important: Since July 1, 2026, a reform has taken effect. The benefit for jobseekers (formerly Bürgergeld under SGB II) is now called "Grundsicherungsgeld". However, the benefit described in this section is the separate benefit for pensioners and people with reduced earning capacity under SGB XII.
Who is eligible? You are entitled to the benefit if you meet the following criteria:
Persons over 67 (or who have reached the standard retirement age). The retirement age is gradually increasing: for those born in 1964 and later, it is 67 years
Persons under 67 who have been determined to have full or partial reduced earning capacity (Erwerbsminderung). This must be established by either the Deutsche Rentenversicherung or the Versorgungsamt
Income and assets (Vermögen) are below the legally defined limits
Permanent residence in Germany
There is no other person legally obliged to support you (e.g., adult children may be required to pay Elternunterhalt – parental maintenance). If such a person exists, they will be approached first
Exclusions:
People already receiving Bürgergeld (benefit for jobseekers). Grundsicherung only takes priority in cases of reduced earning capacity
If your own income, pension, or savings are sufficient
If you refuse to cooperate (Mitwirkung), e.g., you do not apply for a pension even though you could
How much do you receive? The basic rates for 2026 have been frozen at the 2025 level. The following amounts apply: Category: Single person – Basic need (Regelbedarf): €563 – Note: RBS 1 Category: Partners in a joint household – Basic need (Regelbedarf): €506 per person – Note: RBS 2 Category: Adults under 25 living with parents / in institutions – Basic need (Regelbedarf): €451 – Note: RBS 3 Category: Children 14–17 years – Basic need (Regelbedarf): €471 – Note: RBS 4 Category: Children 6–13 years – Basic need (Regelbedarf): €390 – Note: RBS 5 Category: Children 0–5 years – Basic need (Regelbedarf): €357 – Note: RBS 6 In addition, housing and heating costs (KdU + Heizung) are fully covered, but only within reasonable limits (angemessene Höhe). Since July 1, 2026, stricter rules apply regarding housing costs. The Social Welfare Office (Sozialamt) will review whether your rent is reasonable. If it is too expensive, they may ask you to move or reduce the amount they cover. Additional allowances (Mehrbedarfe): You can receive up to 30% on top of the basic rate if, for example:
You are a single parent (Alleinerziehende)
You are a person with a disability
You have an expensive diet for medical reasons
The average payment in 2026 (including housing) is approximately €950–1,300 per month.
Deadlines When entitlement begins: From the month of application (Antrag). Retroactive (retroaktiv) payment is possible at most to the first day of the month in which the application was submitted. How long it is paid: Usually approved for 12 months. Then you must submit a new application for renewal (Weiterbewilligungsantrag). It is recommended to submit this at least one month before the end of the approval period. If you disagree with the decision: You have 1 month from receipt of the written decision (Bescheid) to file an objection (Widerspruch).
Typical mistakes
Applying for Grundsicherung without first applying for a pension. This is the most common mistake. The Social Welfare Office will say: "First get what you are entitled to from the pension fund." If you do not apply for a reduced earning capacity pension, you will not receive Grundsicherung.
Incomplete documents regarding assets and income. If you hide or forget something, your application will either be rejected or put on hold until clarification is provided.
Concealing that you have children who are obliged to support you (Unterhaltspflicht). Adult children may be obliged to pay Elternunterhalt. If you do not report this and the Sozialamt finds out, they may demand the money back.
Incorrectly calculating housing costs (KdU). The Sozialamt has its own tables of "reasonable rent" for your city. If your rent is much higher than average, they will only cover part of it. The rest will have to be paid out of your own pocket. Since July 1, 2026, stricter rules apply.
Applying to the wrong authority. Grundsicherung is provided by the Sozialamt, not the Jobcenter. The Jobcenter only handles Bürgergeld for jobseekers (now called "Grundsicherungsgeld" under SGB II).
Not claiming additional needs (Mehrbedarfe). Especially often forgotten: disability. If you have a severely disabled person's pass (Schwerbehindertenausweis), be sure to attach it – this can give you an extra 30%.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Claimants of the Basic Security Benefit in Old Age and in Case of Reduced Earning Capacity (Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung)
Step 1: Verify that you belong to the correct eligible group. This benefit is not for everyone. You must meet one of the following two criteria:
You have reached the statutory retirement age (currently being gradually raised to 67; check the specific age for your year of birth).
You are at least 18 years old but, due to medical reasons, are fully and permanently unable to work (Erwerbsminderung), and this has been recognized by the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung). A severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis) alone is not sufficient grounds; you need a formal determination of reduced earning capacity.
Step 2: Obtain the application form. You will need the form titled "Antrag auf Grundsicherung". It can be obtained in three ways:
In person at the Social Welfare Office (Sozialamt) responsible for your place of residence.
By downloading it from the official website of your city or district (often found in the "Social Affairs" section).
By downloading it from the German Pension Insurance website, though you will still submit it to a different authority.
Visit the official website sozialleistungen.de or the website of your local Sozialamt.
Step 3: Determine the correct authority for submission. Unlike the unemployment benefit (Bürgergeld), Grundsicherung falls under the jurisdiction of the Social Welfare Office (Sozialamt) of your city (kreisfreie Stadt) or district (Landkreis), not the employment agencies. In larger cities, a specialized department (Fachstelle für Grundsicherung) may handle this. Find out the exact address and office hours in advance. Walk-in visits without an appointment are often futile.
Step 4: Prepare your documents. Gather everything in advance. The main principle is to fully disclose your entire financial situation and your legal right to reside in Germany. You will need:
Proof of identity: A valid passport (Reisepass) or national ID card (Personalausweis) with proof of registration of residence.
Residence permit: If you are not an EU citizen, your Aufenthaltstitel (residence title) must allow you to receive social benefits (i.e., not with the restriction "Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet" alone, but with a right to permanent residence, e.g., Niederlassungserlaubnis). Pay special attention to this point – an error here will automatically lead to rejection and may affect your residency status.
Rental documents: Your tenancy agreement (Mietvertrag) and the most recent rent receipt. The authority will check whether the size and cost of your accommodation fall within the locally established reasonable limits (Angemessenheit).
Bank statements: Statements from all your bank accounts for the last three months (Kontoauszüge).
Income documents: Pension notifications (Rentenbescheid), proof of income from abroad (if applicable), and statements of any savings/investment accounts.
Asset documents (Vermögen): Savings, securities, life insurance policies (including their surrender value – Rückkaufswert), and any real estate owned. Your assets must not exceed the statutory protected allowance (Schonvermögen), which currently stands at €10,000 for a single person. An expensive car is also considered an asset.
Medical determination: The official ruling on your reduced earning capacity (if you are below retirement age).
Step 5: Submit your application either in person or by post.
The best option is an in-person appointment (after booking). The caseworker will check the completeness of your documents on the spot.
Sending it by postal mail via registered mail with confirmation of delivery (Einwurf-Einschreiben) is acceptable, but if your documents are incomplete, the process will be delayed for weeks.
Crucial point: Grundsicherung is granted from the first day of the month in which you submit the application – not retroactively. If you bring your papers on the 25th, benefits will commence as of the 1st of that same month.
Step 6: Await the decision (Bescheid) and comply with your obligations. The authority may grant you an advance payment (Vorschuss) pending the final decision, but this requires a separate written request. The most important thing to remember after submission is that any change in your circumstances immediately triggers an obligation to notify the authority (Mitwirkungspflicht). This applies to:
Receiving an inheritance.
Changes in household composition (e.g., a partner moving in).
Changes in your pension amount.
Any one-time payments received from abroad.
Concealing such facts is not treated as a mistake but as an offense, which can lead to the initiation of fraud proceedings and the requirement to repay all overpaid amounts.
If you are rejected or paid too little Do not stay silent. You can file an objection (Widerspruch) within 1 month of receiving the decision. A template is provided below.
If the government agency requests additional documents
When you have submitted your application and the Jobcenter has already partially reviewed it, they may request additional documents. A serious mistake is to simply forward the requested documents without a cover letter. In such cases, the officials at the Jobcenter do not understand which case the documents belong to, cannot link them to a specific file number, consider the deadline not met, and issue a rejection stating „Unterlagen nicht fristgerecht eingereicht“
How to Submit Additional Documents Correctly When submitting additional documents, you must include a cover letter (Begleitschreiben). Cover letter pdfword.doc This ensures that your documents are correctly assigned to your case and that the deadline is met.
If your payment was rejected or too low, file an appeal.
Deadline: 1 month from receipt of the notification (1 year if no instructions were provided). Use our appeal template.
