Additional Benefits in Citizen’s Allowance

In addition to the standard rate and housing costs, the citizen’s allowance includes a range of additional benefits for special life situations and needs. These benefits can significantly increase financial flexibility and are therefore very important to know. In this article, we present all relevant additional benefits in detail.

Additional Needs

Additional needs are regular, fixed supplements to the standard rate that are available to certain groups of people with increased needs.

Additional Need for Single Parents

Those who are single parents and live with minor children are entitled to an additional need:

36% of the applicable standard rate when caring for a child under 7 years of age or when caring for two or three children under 16 years of age
12% of the standard rate for each child if this results in a higher percentage than under the above rule

However, the additional need is limited to a maximum of 60% of the standard rate.

Calculation Example: Single parent with three children (5, 8, and 12 years old):

Option 1: 36% of standard rate (563 €) = 202.68 €
Option 2: 3 × 12% = 36% of standard rate = 202.68 €
In this case, both options are equivalent

Additional Need for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women are entitled to an additional need of 17% of the applicable standard rate from the 13th week of pregnancy until the day of delivery.

Calculation Example: Pregnant single woman:

17% of 563 € = 95.71 €

Additional Need for People with Disabilities

Persons who receive benefits for participation in working life, vocational training, or integration assistance are entitled to an additional need of 35% of the applicable standard rate.

Additional Need for Expensive Nutrition

In cases of illness- or disability-related additional need for expensive nutrition, a supplement may be granted. The amount depends on the recommendations of the German Association for Public and Private Welfare and varies depending on the illness.

Typical illnesses for which an additional need is recognized:

Kidney failure with dialysis
Celiac disease/Sprue
Cystic fibrosis
HIV/AIDS in advanced stage
Multiple sclerosis with complications
Certain cancers during chemotherapy

The necessity must be certified by a doctor.

Additional Need for Decentralized Hot Water Production

If hot water is produced decentrally (e.g., by boiler or instantaneous water heater) and is not included in heating costs, there is entitlement to the following additional need:

Single persons/Single parents: 2.3% of standard rate (12.95 €)
Partnership from 18 years: 2.3% of standard rate each (11.64 € each)
14-17 years: 1.4% of standard rate (6.59 €)
6-13 years: 1.2% of standard rate (4.68 €)
0-5 years: 0.8% of standard rate (2.86 €)

Additional Need in Hardship Cases

In special hardship cases, an additional need may be granted if there is an unavoidable, ongoing, not just one-time need. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Combination of Additional Needs

Multiple additional needs can be combined, but their sum must not exceed 100% of the applicable standard rate.

One-Time Benefits

In addition to ongoing benefits, there are also one-time grants for special need situations that are not covered by the standard rate.

Initial Equipment for the Home

The initial equipment of a home includes all necessary items required for dignified living, including:

Furniture (bed, wardrobe, table, chairs)
Household appliances (refrigerator, stove, washing machine)
Lamps
Curtains
Carpets
Dishes, cutlery
Bedding, towels

The benefit is usually granted as a lump sum, but in some municipalities it may also be provided as benefits in kind (e.g., through furniture warehouses).

Note: Initial equipment can also be approved for moves, after fire, or after separation/divorce if a new purchase is necessary.

Initial Equipment for Clothing and Pregnancy

This benefit includes:

Basic clothing equipment (e.g., after release from prison or homelessness)
Maternity clothing
Initial equipment for a newborn (stroller, crib, baby equipment)

Here, too, lump sums are often paid, the amount of which varies locally.

Examples of Lump Sums:

Basic clothing equipment: approx. 300-400 €
Maternity clothing: approx. 200 €
Initial equipment for newborn: approx. 300-500 €

Repair or Replacement of Household Appliances

If an essential household appliance such as a refrigerator, washing machine, or stove is defective, a grant for repair or replacement may be granted. Prerequisites are:

The appliance is absolutely necessary
Repair is not economical (in case of replacement)
No reserves could be formed from the standard rate

Medical Needs

The following medical needs can be covered as a one-time benefit:

Orthopedic shoes and their repair
Repair of therapeutic devices
Purchase of glasses (usually only the cost of a simple version)
In special cases: dental prostheses if the health insurance does not pay or does not pay in full

Education and Participation Benefits for Children and Young People

The Education and Participation Package (BuT) supports children, adolescents, and young adults under 25 years of age from low-income families.

Benefits for School and Daycare

School trips and multi-day class trips: Coverage of actual costs
Personal school supplies: 174 € per school year (116 € on August 1 and 58 € on February 1)
Student transportation: Subsidy for travel costs to the nearest school if these are not covered by others
Learning support/Tutoring: If promotion is at risk or the learning goal cannot be achieved otherwise
Shared lunch: Subsidy for lunch at school, daycare, or after-school care

15 € per month for club memberships, music lessons, vacation programs, or similar activities

Application

Education and participation benefits must be applied for separately, often with appropriate documentation (e.g., school certificate). For learning support, a school confirmation of the need for support is usually required.

Special Benefits to Promote Training and Integration

The citizen’s allowance places special emphasis on qualification and sustainable integration into the labor market. For this purpose, there are special support benefits:

Training Allowance

When participating in a qualification-related training program (minimum 8 weeks duration), a training allowance of 150 € per month is paid in addition to the citizen’s allowance.

Citizen’s Allowance Bonus

When participating in measures for sustainable integration that do not aim at a professional qualification, a citizen’s allowance bonus of 75 € per month may be paid.

Training Premiums

Upon successful completion of certain stages of vocational training, premiums may be paid:

1,000 € for passing an intermediate examination
1,500 € for passing the final examination

Entry Allowance

When taking up employment subject to social insurance or self-employment, an entry allowance may be granted as a supplement to the citizen’s allowance for a maximum of 24 months. The amount depends on the duration of unemployment, the size of the household, and working hours.

Further Financial Support Options

In addition to direct citizen’s allowance benefits, there are other support options that can be used in parallel:

Exemption from Broadcasting Fee Obligation

With the citizen’s allowance decision, an exemption from the broadcasting fee (formerly GEZ) can be applied for.

Many providers offer social tariffs:

Reduced telephone and internet tariffs
Discounted electricity tariffs
Discounted public transport (social ticket)
Culture pass or similar offers for cultural events

Grants from Foundations

Various foundations offer financial support in special hardship situations:

Mother-child foundations
Hardship case foundations
Regional aid funds

Practical Tips for Receiving Additional Benefits

1. Claim Additional Needs

Submit appropriate documentation to the job center (e.g., medical certificate for expensive nutrition)
For single parents: Certificate of the care situation of the children
For pregnancy: Maternity passport or medical certificate

2. Apply for One-Time Benefits in Time

Submit applications preferably before purchase
Submit cost estimates
Document the necessity (e.g., defect of a household appliance)
Keep all receipts

3. Record Education and Participation Benefits Individually

Talk to teachers about possible tutoring needs
Ask clubs if they can bill directly with the job center
Submit certificates about class trips early

4. Explore Training Opportunities

Get advice from the job center on training opportunities
Actively inquire about the training allowance and citizen’s allowance bonus
Collect information about professional qualifications that are suitable for you

5. Secure Additional Discounts

Apply for additional discounts with the citizen’s allowance decision
Inquire with local providers about social tariffs
Use regional offers such as social department stores, food banks, or discounted admission tickets

Frequently Asked Questions about Additional Benefits

Are Additional Needs Paid Automatically?

No, in many cases additional needs must be applied for and proven. Only if the job center is already aware of the corresponding circumstances (e.g., single parent status) can they be automatically considered.

Is There a Deadline for Applying for One-Time Benefits?

One-time benefits should be applied for preferably before purchase. Retroactive cost coverage is more difficult to achieve, but not excluded if the need was unavoidable.

Can I Receive Multiple Additional Needs at the Same Time?

Yes, additional needs can be combined, but their sum must not exceed 100% of the applicable standard rate (exception: additional need for decentralized hot water production is not counted).

Do I Have to Repay the Initial Equipment?

No, the initial equipment is a one-time grant that does not have to be repaid. Unlike the rental deposit, it is not a loan.

Are Education and Participation Benefits Also Paid for Children in Daycare?

Yes, some benefits also apply to daycare children, in particular the coverage of costs for trips, lunch, and participation in social and cultural life.

Conclusion

The additional benefits in the citizen’s allowance system can significantly increase financial flexibility and improve quality of life. Especially for families with children, single parents, people with health limitations, and those interested in training, it is worth knowing these benefits and actively applying for them.

Although the application often requires some effort and perseverance, it can be financially worthwhile. If needed, use the support of counseling centers or our Guide to Application to successfully assert your claims.

Note: The amounts mentioned correspond to the status as of March 2025. Changes are possible at any time. Local implementation, especially for one-time benefits and education and participation benefits, may vary depending on the job center and municipality.