Are there any social benefits I can claim such as child support?
Parents and children have a right to child and youth welfare. This includes support for children and youths with special emotional needs. Offers cover counseling, group work, support in the home, additional support in a daycare centre or school, etc.
Free and anonymous counseling is also available via the App mbeon  .
The Federal Foundation for Mother and Child (Bundesstiftung Mutter und Kind ) provides financial support for pregnant women in need. You can find more information in Ukrainian in this flyer .
Ukrainian families with children who have received temporary protection in Germany may qualify for kindergeld children's subsidies. The payment for each child is 250 euros. Read more about how to apply here .
Starting from June 1st, 2022, people with a residence permit according to Section 24 of the Residency Act or a corresponding “Fiktionsbescheinigung” plus registration with the Ausländerzentralregister (AZR) can receive BAföG. BAföG is a state student finance program.
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Are there any social benefits for pregnant and nursing women?
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How can I meet and socialize with other Ukrainians in a similar position?
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Are there specific social supports available to me if I am elderly?
You are covered by public health insurance and are eligible for mental health support. You normally don't need any documents other than your health insurance card.
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Are there specific social supports available to me if I have a disability?
If you have special needs because you have a disability or need care, you can apply for additional assistance. You can search for a doctor in your area on the website of the German Medical Association . You can also search for a counseling center in your area, for instance National Refugee Councils .
Heimverzeichnis has nursing home-care center, which offers professional care services.
To apply for support from the state, you must first register for a "Disability Card" ("Schwerbehindertenausweis"). Only people with a severe disability (a GdB of 50 or higher) can obtain this card. To apply for a "Disability Card", you must fill the relevant form and hand it in (along with all your medical certificates) to your local Pension Office ("Versorgungsamt"). You can find the proper office at integrationsaemter.de . In case your GdB is lower than 50, you may still be able to benefit from the support you need under some circumstances. To do so, seek help from a counselling centre.
You can find help, for example, at the Migration counselling centre for Adults or a Youth Migration Service . The staff there speak different languages. You can also access special counselling for people with disabilities (in German) at teilhabeberatung.de . If you need specialised counselling in your language as a people with disabilities, you can also contact MINA - Life in Diversity e.V. in Berlin. The staff there speak German, Arabic, Bulgarian, French, English, Russian and Turkish. You can reach the MINA counselling centre Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 to 15:00 and Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00 via the telephone number 403 65 76 20 or by email to info@mina-berlin.de.
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How can I help others? What volunteering organisations could I join?
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What other forms of social support/welfare should I know about? (Buddy systems, etc.) Who is eligible? How does someone apply?
- If you already have a residence permit according to Section 24 of the Residence Act or a respective “Fiktionsbescheinigung” and are registered at the “Ausländerzentralregister”, you are entitled to financial support from the state. The financial support includes accommodation or money for covering the flat rent, utilities and heating costs, as well as costs of food, clothing, etc. and health insurance. Please note: If you already have a residence permit or “Fiktionsbescheinigung” plus registration in the AZR, but have not yet undergone identification processing, you must do so by October 31, 2022. Even if you do not manage to get an appointment before October 31, 2022, you will still receive financial support from the state.
- If you are already registered but do not yet have a residence permit according to §24 Residence Act or a corresponding “Fiktionsbescheinigung” + registration in the Central Register of Foreign Nationals (AZR), you are also entitled to financial support from the state. You can receive support on the basis of the so-called “Asylum Seeker Benefits Act”. This includes accommodation and money for food, clothing, etc. You will also receive a small amount of pocket money. If you move into your own flat, you can also receive additional financial support for furnishing the place. You need to apply for such assistance at the Social Welfare Office responsible for you. The office responsible for you is the Social Welfare Office at the place where you are staying. On sozialaemter.com , you will find a list of all Social Welfare Offices in the respective federal states.
- If you apply for asylum, you will be accommodated in an initial reception center and provided with the essentials there. You will also receive a small amount of pocket money. You must apply for financial support at the Social Welfare Office responsible for you. The office responsible for you is the Social Welfare Office at the place where you are staying. On sozialaemter.com , you will find a list of all Social Welfare Offices in the respective federal states.
- Persons who are currently staying in Germany without a visa and who cannot obtain a residence permit can, according to Section 24, receive so-called “bridging benefits” (“Überbrückungsleistungen”) according to Section 23 (3) SGB XII for the first three months of their stay. The prerequisite for this is that you do not have any money of your own. You can get money for food, clothing, shelter, emergency medical care. If you are pregnant or have young children, you will receive additional support. You must apply for financial support at the Social Welfare Office responsible for you. The office responsible for you is the Social Welfare Office at the place where you are staying. On sozialaemter.com , you will find a list of all Social Welfare Offices in the respective federal states.
After the first three months, you can, under certain conditions, receive financial support for living expenses, in the event of illness, pregnancy and maternity as well as help with care according to Section 23 Para. 1 SGB XII.
Parents and children have a right to child and youth welfare. This includes a right to support for children and youths with special emotional needs. Offers cover counselling, group work, support in the home, additional support in a daycare centre or school, etc. Free and anonymous counselling is also available via the App mbeon .
The German support program «Teilhabe am Arbeitsmarkt» opens up new prospects for Ukrainians living in Germany. Starting from July 1, 2023, the Jobcenter will offer refugees a number of new opportunities to improve their skills:
- you can complete training in your specialty and receive a relevant certificate. This may include training from scratch, which usually lasts three years, and its costs will be covered;
- you will receive financial support while learning the necessary basic skills, such as reading, math or IT;
- if you need to attend further education courses to complete your studies in your field of study, you will receive additional support in the amount of 150 euros ("Weiterbildungsgeld");
- if you participate in programs that help you return to your profession for a longer period of time, you will receive an additional "Bürgergeld-Bonus" of 75 euros per month;
- you can also take advantage of intensive coaching provided by the job center. This new offer allows you to receive support right at home so that you can continue to learn a new profession or work.
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