Grundsicherungsgeld
Applying for Bürgergeld — what do I need for it?
Bürgergeld and Grundsicherungsgeld are the same benefit; the name has changed, the application has not.
The form set consists of the main application and, depending on the household, up to nine annexes. They concern the other people, the income, the housing and the assets.
In addition the Jobcenter expects bank statements for the last three months from every account of every person in the household, the tenancy agreement and a supporting document for every income.
Which sheets arise
The main application concerns the household. For every further person aged fifteen or over an annex WEP is added, for younger children an annex KI. Anyone with their own income receives an annex EK; with self-employed work the annex EKS as well. The housing goes on annex KDU, the assets on annex VM — both concern the whole household and are filled in once.
Which supporting documents belong with it
Bank statements for the last three months, without gaps and from every account. The tenancy agreement as a copy, together with the latest statement of service charges; with owner-occupied property the interest and repayment schedule and the supporting documents on land tax and service charges. The payslips, with other payments the decision notice. And for every person the identity document or the residence permit, the social insurance number and the tax identification number.
What you may black out
On the bank statements individual entries may be blacked out among the outgoings; the payment reference must remain legible. Among the incomings this is not permitted — they are the reason the statements are asked for. In the copy of the tenancy agreement the details of the landlord may be blacked out, as long as the rent is not to be transferred there directly.
If something is still missing
The law requires an application, but no particular form (§ 37 paragraph 1 sentence 1 SGB II, § 9 SGB X). Anyone who has not yet gathered the documents can fix the day with an informal message to the Jobcenter and submit the official forms later. The application takes effect retroactively from the first of the month in which it arrives (§ 37 paragraph 2 sentence 2 SGB II). It does not reach back further: for periods before that nothing is provided.
How the form set is handed in
The application is not transmitted digitally. It is printed out, signed by hand and handed in at the Jobcenter — at the counter, in the office's letterbox or by post. White paper in DIN A4 format, printed on one side, nothing bound and nothing stapled. People aged fifteen or over sign their own sheets; for younger children the person with custody signs. Put the main application on top. Behind it come the sheets of the other people, and last the joint sheets on housing and assets.
What that costs
One price for the whole set — no matter how many people live in your household and how many sheets that produces. The sample calculations are on the page about Grundsicherungsgeld.