Job Center: Coverage of Moving and Housing Search Costs

Moving may be necessary for various reasons, such as

• starting a job or an apprenticeship
• reducing housing costs, since the current rent exceeds the rent cap
• family reasons, such as the arrival of a new family member, separation, or the need to care for relatives
• a young adult moving out
• health limitations or a disability
• Imminent eviction from the apartment, e.g., termination of lease or eviction order by the landlord

Other reasons may apply. In such cases, you must provide a solid justification for your request to move.

In principle, you must handle the move yourself. For example, you can apply for reimbursement of the costs of renting a van or a lump-sum payment for your personal helpers. Benefits may be granted for helpers, if applicable. If you are unable to handle the move on your own due to your life circumstances—for example, because of age, health, or a disability—a moving company may be paid for in justified exceptional cases.

If you are moving to Erlangen, you must contact the Job Center in your former place of residence regarding moving expenses. If you are moving away from Erlangen or moving within Erlangen, you must contact the Erlangen Job Center.

Required documents for moving expenses:

• A written explanation of why the move is necessary
• If you need a van or a car:
  • 2–3 comparable cost estimates or quotes from car rental companies
  • Explanation of why you need a vehicle for your move
• If you have help from people you know:
  • Before the move: a detailed list of who is expected to help you, when, and for how long
  • After the move: a confirmation signed by the helpers stating the actual hours they worked
• If you would like to hire a moving company:
  • 2–3 comparable cost estimates or quotes from moving companies
  • An explanation of why you cannot handle the move yourself or with private assistance, and, if applicable, supporting documentation, such as medical certificates

If you are required to pay a security deposit or purchase cooperative shares for your new apartment, you can apply for a loan from the Job Center to cover these costs (rental security deposit loan). This applies only if you have received a commitment to cover your housing costs and can provide a certificate from the Job Center previously responsible for your case confirming the necessity of the move.

To apply for a rental security deposit loan, you must contact the Jobcenter responsible for your new place of residence.

Required documents for a rental security deposit loan:

• A written explanation of why the move is necessary
• A fully completed and signed loan application
• Evidence of the current status of all assets, such as bank statements
• A written explanation of why your current rental security deposit cannot be offset against the new rental security deposit
• A fully completed and signed application for direct payment of the rental deposit, so that the Jobcenter can transfer the rental deposit directly to the landlord on your behalf
• Proof of the amount of the required security deposit, such as a lease agreement

If you need household items—known as “initial household furnishings”—to move into your apartment, you must submit an application in advance so that your eligibility for coverage of these items can be reviewed. Please note that initial household furnishings can only be provided if you did not already own these items. You must first move any items you already own. If you need to replace an item—for example, because it has broken—we can review whether the cost can be covered through a loan or a replacement purchase.

To receive assistance with initial household furnishings, you must contact the Job Center responsible for your new place of residence.

Required documents for initial household furnishings:

• A written explanation of the necessity of the move
• Application for initial furnishings for a home

Application for initial furnishings for a residence

As a general rule, you must arrange your move so that you do not have to pay two months’ rent at the same time. Please note that, as a rule, only the cost of one month of double rent can be covered. Up to two additional months of double rent may be considered only in justified exceptional cases. Be sure to observe the notice period for your current lease!

Required documents for double rent:

• A written explanation of why the move is necessary
• Informal request for coverage of the double rent
• A written statement specifying by when, why, and how many instances of double rent are needed
• Proof of the amount of double rent due, especially for partial months