Sozialhilfe and Grundsicherung im Alter in Berlin (SGB XII)

Two types of benefit under SGB XII

Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung (Fourth Chapter, SGB XII): entitled are people with habitual residence in Germany who cannot cover their necessary living expenses from income and assets, and who have either reached the age limit (§ 41 Abs. 2 SGB XII; people born before 1947: 65 years, thereafter gradually rising, e.g. birth year 1960: 66 years and 4 months, birth year 1961: 66 years and 6 months) or have turned 18 and have permanent full reduced earning capacity within the meaning of § 43 Abs. 2 SGB VI, where the reduced earning capacity is unlikely to be reversed (§ 41 Abs. 3 SGB XII). Benefits require an application (§ 44 Abs. 1 SGB XII); the application takes retroactive effect from the first of the application month if the requirements are met that month (§ 44 Abs. 2); benefits are generally granted for twelve calendar months (§ 44 Abs. 3).

Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt (Third Chapter, SGB XII): for people who receive neither Grundsicherungsgeld nor Grundsicherung im Alter/bei Erwerbsminderung, for example in cases of temporary full reduced earning capacity. It begins “as soon as the social assistance provider or the bodies it has commissioned become aware that the requirements for the benefit are met” (§ 18 Abs. 1 SGB XII).

Distinction from Grundsicherungsgeld (SGB II)

“Persons who, as able to work or as family members, are in principle entitled to benefits under the Second Book do not receive benefits for subsistence” (§ 21 Satz 1 SGB XII). People able to work and their benefit unit therefore fall under the Jobcenter (see “Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld) at the Jobcenter Berlin”). Wohngeld is excluded if you receive Grundsicherung im Alter/Erwerbsminderung or Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt (§ 7 Abs. 1 WoGG).

Amount in 2026

The same standard benefit levels apply as for Grundsicherungsgeld; unchanged for 2026 (Bundesregierung, as of 1 January 2026): level 1: 563 euros, level 2: 506 euros, level 3: 451 euros, level 4: 471 euros, level 5: 390 euros, level 6: 357 euros. Per Service Portal Berlin, this is supplemented by housing and heating costs, additional needs (including disability, pregnancy, single parenthood, nutrition), and one-off needs (including initial furnishing of a dwelling, clothing).

Recourse against relatives (Unterhaltsrückgriff)

“Maintenance claims of beneficiaries against their children and parents are not to be taken into account, unless their annual total income within the meaning of § 16 of the Fourth Book each exceeds 100,000 euros (annual income threshold).” It is presumed that this threshold is not exceeded (§ 94 Abs. 1a SGB XII).

Foreign nationals – § 23 SGB XII

Foreign nationals actually residing in Germany receive Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt, assistance in case of illness, pregnancy and maternity, and assistance with care; the provisions of the Fourth Chapter (Grundsicherung im Alter/Erwerbsminderung) remain unaffected; otherwise, Sozialhilfe can be granted on a case-by-case basis. These restrictions do not apply to foreign nationals with a Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit) or a time-limited residence title who are expected to remain permanently in Germany (§ 23 Abs. 1 SGB XII).

Excluded from benefits under Abs. 1 and under the Fourth Chapter are foreign nationals and their family members (§ 23 Abs. 3 Satz 1 SGB XII) if they: 1. are neither employees or self-employed nor entitled to freedom of movement under § 2 Abs. 3 FreizügG/EU, for the first three months of their stay, 2. have no residence right, or their residence right arises solely from the purpose of seeking work, seeking a training or study place, or a residence permit under § 20a AufenthG, or 3. entered the country in order to obtain Sozialhilfe. Excluded people receive only limited assistance (bridging benefits) until departure, “for a period of at most one month, once within two years”; upon application, reasonable return-travel costs are covered as a loan (§ 23 Abs. 3a). By way of exception to sentence 1 no. 2, foreign nationals receive benefits “if they have resided in Germany for at least five years without significant interruption.”

Implementation in Berlin

The Amt für Soziales (Sozialamt) of your district of residence is responsible. Per Service Portal Berlin: main residence in Berlin required, application by post or in person, no fees; the office advises on entitlement and helps with completing the application.

Open points

Protected asset allowance for 2026 under the ordinance to § 90 SGB XII; addresses of the twelve district Sozialämter (available individually via Service Portal Berlin, not individually checked here): no confirmed information is available for this.