As of: February 6, 2024, 8:51 p.m
By: Marvin K. Hoffmann
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In Germany there are pensioners who cannot make ends meet with their money.
They still don’t receive citizen’s money.
There is something else.
Hamm – Citizens’ money has been around for over a year now.
From January 1, 2023, it replaced unemployment benefit II (ALG II) - colloquially known as Hartz IV - and is the basic security for job seekers.
The German Social Association describes it as “a benefit to secure a living.”
However, pensioners do not receive this benefit.
There are other ways for them to get additional money.
Pensioners do not receive any citizen’s benefit – but they do receive basic security
Citizens' money, like every social benefit in Germany, is linked to conditions.
Not everyone is entitled to it.
For some people, the citizen's allowance can be reduced.
In principle, the following applies: Citizens' benefit can be received by all employable people in need of help who are over 15 years of age and have not yet reached the age limit for the standard old-age pension.
“Citizens' benefit is an option if there is no entitlement to unemployment benefit I (ALG I) or if the ALG I entitlement has been exhausted.
In addition, there could be a claim to citizen's benefit if, for example, the housing benefit is not sufficient to secure one's livelihood," explains the German Social Association.
So what can retirees do?
Entitlement to citizen's benefit
Anyone who cannot apply for basic security, but rather citizens' benefit, must of course be entitled.
According to the German Social Association, the prerequisite for entitlement to citizen's benefit is the criterion of “need for help”.
“You need help if you cannot adequately support yourself or your family and are dependent on government support.
Your relatives are entitled to benefits if they live with you in a community of need,” it says.
Basic security helps pensioners cover their living expenses
Pensioners who cannot make a living on their own have the option of applying for the so-called basic security.
The German pension insurance explains: “As a needy person, you can receive basic security in old age and with full incapacity if you have either reached the standard retirement age - this is the point at which you can receive the regular old-age pension - or you are permanently fully incapacitated and at least Are 18 years old.” Basic security for pensioners and other entitled persons is available for:
the necessary livelihood
Expenses for accommodation and heating
Health and nursing care insurance contributions
Pension contributions
Additional needs for certain groups of people
Help in special cases
Entitlement to basic security in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity
The German Social Association adds: “You are entitled to basic security in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity if you are at least 65 years old and older.” However, the age limit is gradually increasing from 65 years for people born after 1946 observe.
“In addition, you must still have your habitual residence in Germany and must not be able to support yourself from your existing income and assets,” explain the experts.
If you have a permanent, complete disability, you must also, as already mentioned, be at least 18 years old in order to receive basic security.
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Of course, in Germany, a bureaucratic state, nothing happens without an application.
This also applies to basic security in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity, which is usually provided for twelve months.
“In order to continue to receive basic security after twelve months, a follow-up application must generally be submitted in good time,” advises the German Social Association.