Basic Income Support for the Elderly or Permanent Total Disability

Who is eligible to receive benefits under this law?

Persons with habitual residence in the Federal Republic of Germany who:

• have reached the age of 65, or
• have reached the age of 18 and, regardless of the current labor market situation, are permanently and fully unable to work for medical reasons.

Receipt of an old-age pension or a pension for full incapacity for work is not a prerequisite.

Persons who do not support themselves:

• from their own income and assets, or
• from the income and assets of a spouse with whom they live or a domestic partner, to the extent that such income and assets exceed their own needs.

Who is not eligible?

• Individuals whose annual income from those obligated to provide support exceeds 100,000 EUR (per child or parent),
• persons who have caused their own financial need intentionally or through gross negligence within the last 10 years,
• foreign nationals who receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

How much can one receive in basic income support?

The amount of assistance is based on:

• the standard needs level applicable to the eligible applicant,
• reasonable actual expenses for housing and heating (pro-rated for spouses or partners in a marriage-like relationship who do not live separately),
• any applicable health and long-term care insurance premiums, and
• any additional needs supplements, if applicable.

The applicant’s existing income is deducted from the needs calculated in this manner.

The entitlement to basic income support is the need not covered by the applicant’s income.

If your income is sufficient to cover your needs, you will not receive basic income support.

If your income is insufficient but you have assets that you must use to cover your living expenses, no basic income support benefit is paid. Once you have used up the assets that must be used, you may reapply for basic income support.

The threshold for small cash amounts or other monetary assets that do not need to be used to qualify for basic income support is €10,000 for each adult. Amounts exceeding this threshold are considered assets to be used.