Benefits for asylum seekers

Landesamt für Flüchtlingsangelegenheiten und Unterbringung (LFU) (State Office for Refugee Affairs)

Sozialamt ( Social Welfare Office )

Benefits for asylum seekers are financial support for certain people who live in Germany and need of assistance. The amount of support available depends entirely on your personal situation.

You can apply for benefits for asylum seekers, for example, if:

• you have applied for asylum and have an Aufenthaltsgestattung (temporary permission to stay during the asylum procedure)
• you have a Duldung (temporary suspension of deportation)
• or you have a humanitarian Aufenthaltstitel (residence title) , for example under § 23 (1), 24, or 25 (4) or (5) of the "AufenthG" (Residence Act)

Benefits for asylum seekers also apply to family members living with you. Children can also receive benefits for asylum seekers. It is best to visit a counseling center for advice.

You must be in need of help, which means you may have little or no income and usually may not own more than €200. If you receive benefits for asylum seekers, you usually cannot receive other social benefits.

Fill out two forms: the application form and an additional attachment. Bring all documents with you and visit in person during opening hours.

The money is paid out in cash or transferred to a bank account.

You do not have a bank account yet? At Handbook Germany, you can find out how to open one.

Information about bank accounts

Asylum seekers do not have comprehensive health insurance, but they do receive support for illnesses, pain, pregnancy and childbirth, as well as important medical examinations and vaccinations. Dental prostheses are only covered in very rare exceptional cases. The Sozialamt (social welfare office) or the LFU applies for an electronic health insurance card (eGK) for you. For this, you usually need a digital passport photo. The employee at the Sozialamt or the LFU will explain the procedure to you when you submit your application. With the eGK, you can visit a doctor of your choice, who will see you free of charge and prescribe medication if needed.

There is no deadline. However, you will only receive the money starting from the day you submit the application. No payments are made for time periods before your application is handed in.

The application for benefits for asylum seekers is free of charge.

The amount of money can be reduced in certain circumstances. For example, if you gave incorrect information about your identity or nationality, or if you did not hand in your passport .

If your benefits are going to be reduced, the authority will send you a written notice explaining the decision. You may also receive less benefits for asylum seekers if you or family members living with you have income from a job.

If you work and earn your own money to live on, you will receive less or no benefits for asylum seekers because you are able to support yourself.