People who are unable to support themselves from their own income or assets can receive social assistance. Two types of social assistance are granted:

1. subsistence assistance is available for people who are temporarily incapacitated for work, but for longer than six months. These are people who are unable to work at least three hours a day for health reasons. Whether relatives who are obliged to provide maintenance are able to pay is checked (Chapter 3 of Social Code XII).

2. people who have reached the normal retirement age receive basic income support. In addition, basic income support can be granted to people over the age of 18 who are permanently unable to work more than three hours a day for medical reasons. Parents and children do not have to pay maintenance to each other if they have an annual income of less than 100,000 euros (Chapter 4 SGB XII).

Note: You can also apply for the benefit using the online form in the service portal. You will need your BundID for this. Authentication with the online ID function (eID function) of your ID card is required.  You can find the link under "Forms and links".

Social assistance includes, among other things:

• The standard rates with money for food, clothing, personal hygiene, household effects, electricity.
• The rent and heating costs, which must be reasonable in comparison to other rented accommodation in Bonn (see also under "Other concerns from this topic area")
• One-off benefits for initial equipment such as home furnishings or equipment for newborns
• Contributions to health and long-term care insurance

Children and young people receive additional money for school trips, school books and extra tuition (see also under "Related services": Education and participation package).

People without health insurance can receive health care assistance (Chapter 5 SGB XII). Please note that this is not a supplement to statutory health insurance benefits.

People who are able to work and cannot support themselves can apply to the Jobcenter for citizen's allowance.