Social Security Contributions; Applying for a Refund Through the Program Administrator

The Federal Employment Agency serves as the rehabilitation provider unless another rehabilitation provider is responsible. This also applies to people with disabilities who are served by job centers.

Unless the Federal Employment Agency itself is required to do so, you, as the program provider, must register all participants with social security and pay social security contributions during the program. Specifically, this involves contributions to

• health insurance,
• pension insurance,
• unemployment insurance, if applicable, and
• long-term care insurance.

The Federal Employment Agency will reimburse you for the social security contributions you have paid, depending on who is responsible for the benefits.

You will receive the money monthly in arrears for the entire duration of the program, as soon as you have submitted an application.

The amount of the reimbursed contributions depends on the specific program designed to promote participation in working life and on the personal requirements met by the participant. For guidance, you can refer to the “Table of Reimbursement Amounts for Vocational Rehabilitation Programs,” which the Federal Employment Agency has coordinated with the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV SV).

• In order to be reimbursed for your social security contributions, you must
  • legally required to register for social security and pay social security contributions,
  • have registered with social security
  • have paid the contributions, and
  • have submitted an application to the responsible benefits provider.

Furthermore, social security contributions may only be paid for measures promoting participation in working life that are funded by the Employment Agency.

You will receive a notification if you are responsible for paying and reporting social security contributions. This may be done electronically, for example via the Electronic Case Management System (EMAW), or through a personalized information letter.

In order for your social security contributions to be reimbursed, you must submit an application.

• Take advantage of the option to submit the “Application for Reimbursement of Contribution Expenses for People with Disabilities” online via your employer account.
• A download option is still available on the Federal Employment Agency’s website; however, this option should now only be used in exceptional cases.
• Fill out the application completely. Be sure to use the values from the table of reimbursement rates.
• Submit the application
  • online via your employer account or
  • by mail to the appropriate Employment Agency
  • or submit the application online.
• The relevant Employment Agency will review your application.
• If all requirements are met, you will be reimbursed for your social security contributions.

The standard statute of limitations of 4 years applies.

• Required document(s)
  
  • Application for Reimbursement of Contribution Expenses

There are no costs involved.