Applying for basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity: An overview
Basic income support for the elderly and people with reduced earning capacity is an important part of the social security system in Germany. It serves to secure the livelihood of people whose pensions are not sufficient to cover their basic needs. It replaced the former social welfare system. This article explains who is entitled to basic income support, how to apply, what documents are required, and what to bear in mind when submitting an application.
Basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity helps people whose pension and income are not sufficient to cover their necessary living expenses and is regulated in accordance with Sections 41 ff. of SGB XII.
People aged 65 and over or those with a permanent full reduction in earning capacity who are habitually resident in Germany and have low assets (less than €10,000) are eligible.
The application must be submitted in writing to the competent authority (e.g., social welfare office or district office) and must include all necessary documents and forms.
Documents such as pension statements, bank statements, proof of rent, and proof of health insurance are required.
Rehabilitation measures and assessments by the German Pension Insurance Fund may be a prerequisite in the case of reduced earning capacity.
Benefits include the standard rate, accommodation costs, and additional needs—income (e.g., pension, alimony payments) is taken into account.
Children with an annual income of less than €100,000 are generally not required to pay maintenance.
Benefits are granted for a specific approval period starting from the month in which the application is submitted and must be reapplied for regularly.
Basic income support in old age is a state benefit under Social Code XII (SGB XII), in particular §§ 41 ff. It is intended for people who have reached retirement age and whose income and assets are insufficient to cover their living expenses. People who are permanently unable to work may also be entitled to basic income support.
Basic security benefits in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity primarily comprise financial support. Anyone wishing to apply for basic security benefits should find out about deadlines and requirements at an early stage.
The aim is to prevent poverty in old age and enable people to live in dignity. The benefits include the standard rate for living expenses, the costs of accommodation and heating, and any additional needs (e.g., in the case of illness or disability).
Social assistance benefits such as cost-of-living assistance can also be granted in addition to or as a substitute for basic security benefits.
People who are entitled to basic income support are those who:
have reached the age limit (between 65 and 67, depending on their year of birth) OR
have a permanent full reduction in earning capacity (under 65 years of age),
have their usual place of residence in Germany,
have no or only a low income,
have only a small amount of assets (exempt assets approx. 10,000 euros per person).
Persons who have reached the relevant age limit or who, in the case of full incapacity to work, cannot cover their necessary living expenses are entitled to benefits.
In the case of full incapacity for work within the meaning of the statutory pension insurance scheme, there is also an entitlement to basic security benefits. Incapacity for work is generally independent of the degree of care or disability. Full incapacity for work exists if a person is permanently unable to work for more than 3 hours per day.
In this case, it is often possible to receive a reduced earning capacity pension, the amount of which depends on how long you have been paying into the pension insurance scheme. If this is not sufficient, you can also apply for basic income support.
An assessment is made to determine whether the applicant's income and assets are sufficient to cover their needs. Income includes pensions, salaries, alimony payments, rental income, and investment income. Income from private pension plans or minor employment in old age is also taken into account.
Your own income and assets, as well as the income of your spouse or partner, are included in the means test. This also applies to income from workshops for people with disabilities.
Note: People who are training in a workshop for disabled people (WfbM) or with another service provider (§ 60 SGB IX) or who are in training and receive the training budget for people with disabilities (§ 61a SGB IX) can also receive basic income support.
The application must be submitted in writing to the competent authority, usually the social welfare office of the city or district. Responsibility usually lies with the district office or another municipal authority. An informal application is sufficient initially, but later the official application forms must be completed in full, signed, and submitted.
An application for basic income support can also be submitted with the assistance of social counseling centers.
Obtain information: The necessary documents and forms can be found at your local social welfare office or on the city's website.
Fill out the form: The application form can be downloaded online or picked up directly at the office and then filled out carefully.
Gather documents:
Identity card or passport
Pension notice
Proof of other income
Bank statements for the last three months
Rental agreement and proof of heating costs
Proof of health and nursing care insurance
Proof of existing assets, if applicable
Submit the application: The application can be submitted to the responsible social welfare office by email, in person, or by mail.
Wait for processing time: Processing can take several weeks. In urgent cases, an advance payment can be requested.
The responsible authority carefully checks whether all the requirements for approval have been met.
For persons under the age of 65 with reduced earning capacity, a prior examination by the German Pension Insurance Fund is required. Often, rehabilitation measures are also a prerequisite for determining reduced earning capacity.
Tip: Even if it turns out that the reduced earning capacity is not permanent, you can still receive alternative assistance with living expenses. No new application needs to be submitted for this. Assistance with living expenses is usually the same amount as basic income support.
The following needs are recognized when calculating basic security benefits:
Standard rate for living expenses (approx. €563 for single persons in 2025)
Accommodation costs (rent and heating costs, as appropriate)
Additional needs (e.g., mobility impairment, expensive diet)
These are offset against the applicant's income. This includes:
Pensions (statutory and private)
Income from renting and leasing
Maintenance payments
Investment income
Exemptions are granted, e.g., an exemption on statutory pensions and so-called exempt assets. This means that income from pensions and earned income (e.g., wages, salaries, income from self-employment) is not fully taken into account.
Income from partners is also taken into account in the calculation. Under certain circumstances, it may also be necessary to check whether heirs can be held liable.
Child support obligations: Children with an annual gross income of less than €100,000 are not required to pay child support for their parents. The social welfare office will verify this when the application is submitted. The social welfare office will inform those who are required to pay child support.
Assets: Assets of up to €10,000 (per person) remain untouched.
Health insurance: Contributions to statutory health insurance are covered.
Retroactive payments: Basic income support is usually paid from the month in which the application is submitted. There is no provision for retroactive payments.
Stay abroad: Anyone who is abroad for more than four weeks without interruption will not receive basic income support for this period.
Legal age: As a rule, you are only entitled to basic income support if you are at least 18 years old.
Basic income support in old age is also often discussed in the context of social assistance, as it is a key benefit for securing livelihoods. Only people with the relevant proof can apply for basic income support in old age or in the event of full incapacity for work.
Basic security benefits are usually granted for a specific period and must be reapplied for thereafter. A notice of approval provides information about the amount and the period of payment.
Inform yourself early: Don't wait until the last minute to gather information and compile the necessary documents.
Ensure your documents are complete: Missing documents will significantly delay processing.
Seek help: If you are unsure about anything, social services, pension advisors, or non-profit organizations such as the VdK can help.
Check that your documents are up to date: All supporting documents should be current—for example, bank statements should not be more than three months old.
Basic income support is approved and paid out on behalf of the social welfare agency. Depending on the authority, processing takes between a few weeks and several months. Anyone wishing to apply for basic income support should therefore submit their application early.
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Basic income support in old age is an important social protection mechanism that protects retired people from poverty in old age. Even if the application process involves a lot of effort, it is worth taking this step if your own income is not sufficient to live a dignified life in old age. With careful preparation, complete documentation, and, if necessary, expert support, the application can be submitted successfully. Those who know their rights and act proactively can live financially secure lives in old age.
The application for basic income support should not be postponed if all requirements are met. If the application is approved, basic income support is an important supplement to pension insurance. This social benefit is also an essential tool for securing the livelihood of people with permanent full disability.
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