Entry-level allowance; application

The introductory allowance is intended to provide you with a financial incentive if your income is initially little or no higher than your previous basic income support benefits.

The introductory allowance is granted to you as a non-recognizable subsidy.

The amount of the grant can be determined by each job center on the basis of statutory criteria and amounts to a maximum of 50% of the standard rate of the basic income support. When calculating the amount, the duration of your unemployment and the size of your benefit community are taken into account. The amount of the introductory allowance therefore varies depending on the individual case.

Your Jobcenter can also make a flat-rate assessment for special groups of people. This makes it easier to make the same decisions in similar cases and applies in particular to

• The long-term unemployed,
• single parents,
• migrants,
• older people,
• people with health impairments,
• Women in partner benefit communities.

You can receive an introductory allowance for a maximum of 24 months.

Your job center alone decides whether and how much you can receive. This means that you have no legal claim to it.

• You will receive a citizen's allowance before starting your new job. Unemployment is not a prerequisite.
• You must submit the application to your Jobcenter before actually taking up employment.
• Your new self-employment or your new job is suitable for overcoming your need for assistance in the long term.
• The introductory allowance is necessary for your integration into the general labor market.
• You must work at least 15 hours per week.
• Additional requirements for self-employment/starting up a business:
  • Positive assessment by the Jobcenter of your personal suitability,
  • the economic viability of your self-employed activity

To receive the introductory allowance, you should first arrange a consultation at your local Jobcenter:

• Contact the relevant job center and arrange an appointment.
• In the case of employment subject to social insurance contributions, you can also apply for an introductory allowance online.
• The integration specialist will record your data and check whether you meet the eligibility requirements.
• The advisor will make a discretionary decision on this basis.
• You will receive a notification by post or online with the approval or rejection of your application.
• If your application is approved, the Jobcenter will transfer the amount to your account monthly in advance

You must not have started your gainful employment when you apply for an introductory allowance. This applies both to taking up employment subject to social insurance contributions and to your self-employment.

Objection period: 1 month

4 weeks.

• Required document/s
  

  Bei Selbstständigkeit/Existenzgründung:

  • Antrag auf Förderung
  • Lebenslauf, gegebenenfalls einschließlich nötiger Befähigungsnachweise
  • aussagekräftige Beschreibung des Existenzgründungsvorhabens zur Erläuterung der Geschäftsidee (Unternehmenskonzept/Businessplan)
  • Kapitalbedarfs- und Finanzierungsplan
  • Umsatz und Rentabilitätsvorschau (erwarteter Umsatz und Kosten) für die nächsten 3 Jahre
  • gegebenenfalls Stellungnahme einer externen dritten Partei oder einer fachkundigen Stelle zur Tragfähigkeit Ihres Unternehmens
    • fachkundige Stellen sind: Kammern, Fachverbände, Kreditinstitute, Gründerinitiativen
  • Nachweis, dass Sie selbstständig sind, zum Beispiel durch Ihre Gewerbeanmeldung, der Anzeige beim Finanzamt oder der Bestätigung über den Wechsel eines Nebengewerbes in ein Hauptgewerbe
  • gegebenenfalls weitere Nachweise zum Beispiel zu Ihrer
    • Unfallversicherung oder
    • Geschäftshaftpflicht oder
    • Eintragung in die Handwerksrolle

  Bei sozialversicherungspflichtiger Beschäftigung:

  • Antrag auf Förderung
  • Kopie Ihres Arbeitsvertrags

There are no costs.

• objection
• Administrative court action