Apply for Benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act
Find out what support you are entitled to as a foreign national in Germany.
At a glance
What benefits are you entitled to under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act?
You are a foreign national staying in Germany? Then you may have a right to benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act (AsylbLG). These benefits cover your basic everyday needs.
You have a right to benefits for food and accommodation including heating. They also cover clothing and healthcare. You also receive household goods and consumables. In case of illness, you receive the necessary and urgent medical care. During pregnancy and childbirth, you are also entitled to the required care. Additionally, you have a right to benefits under the Education and Participation Package.
You also receive a cash amount to cover personal daily needs.
The prerequisite is that you hold certain residence titles and are actually present in Germany. You can find out which residence titles qualify from the responsible authority.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can receive benefits if you are a foreign national, are actually present in Germany and hold certain residence titles.
Additional requirements
- You can find out which residence titles qualify from the information on the responsible authority's page.
How to apply
Check whether you hold one of the qualifying residence titles — contact the responsible authority for information
Gather all necessary documents: social assistance application with annex, identity and residence documents, and proof of your income and assets
Collect additional documentation if you have special needs, for example in case of illness, pregnancy, or for the Education and Participation Package
Go to the responsible authority and submit your application with all documents
Done! You may have a right to benefits for accommodation, food, clothing, healthcare, and a cash amount for daily needs
Good to know
Have you received basic benefits under the AsylbLG for 36 months? Then you have a right to increased assistance under SGB XII. The requirement is that you have not abusively influenced the duration of your stay.
Gemäß § 2 AsylbLG ist Ausländern, die über eine Dauer von 36 Monaten, Leistungen nach § 3 AsylbLG erhalten haben, erhöhte Hilfe nach dem SGB XII zu gewähren, wenn diese die Dauer des Aufenthaltes nicht rechtsmissbräuchlich selbst beeinflusst haben.
VAB A.90.3, S. 609
Do you have toleration status (Duldung) and cannot be deported because you are responsible for the obstacle? Then you will only receive reduced social benefits. This applies, for example, if you do not cooperate in obtaining a passport.
Gemäß § 1a Abs. 3 AsylbLG erhält ein Ausländer, der sich im Besitz einer Duldung oder GÜB/PEB II befindet und bei dem aus von ihm zu vertretenden Gründen aufenthaltsbeendende Maßnahmen nicht vollzogen werden können, verringerte Sozialleistungen.
VAB A.90.3, S. 607
Was your asylum application rejected as inadmissible because another EU state is responsible? Then you will only receive reduced social benefits. The restriction does not apply if a court has ordered the suspensive effect of your appeal.
Ausländer, die im Besitz einer Aufenthaltsgestattung oder GÜB/PEB II sind, erhalten verringerte Sozialleistungen, wenn ihr Asylantrag nach § 29 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AsylG als unzulässig abgelehnt wurde, entweder, weil ein anderer Staat nach der Dublin-III-Verordnung [...] für die Durchführung des Asylverfahrens zuständig ist. Die Einschränkung gilt nicht, sofern ein Gericht die aufschiebende Wirkung der Klage gegen die Abschiebungsanordnung des BAMF angeordnet hat.
VAB A.90.3, S. 609
Contact & Responsibility
Find responsible department
The responsible department depends on your surname and/or nationality.
Report waiting time
Help the community by sharing your recent experience with appointment wait times.
Comments
Ratings and reviews from the community.
Something wrong? Help us improve this page.
Apply for Benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act
Not specified