Amt für Soziales (Social Welfare Office)

The Social Welfare Office will check with you whether you can get financial support. This support is often called “Sozialhilfe” (social assistance) or “Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung” (basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity). The office can also help pay your rent and heating costs if you cannot afford them yourself.

You’re in the right place if you don’t have enough money to cover your living costs and cannot get help from the Jobcenter. You can also contact the Social Welfare Office if you need extra support, for example because of a disability or because you need care.

Each district in Berlin has its own Social Welfare Office. You should contact the office in the district where you are registered.