Apply for an integration grant from the job center

If you employ people in your company who are not yet fully able to work at the start of their employment, you can apply for subsidies towards wage costs.

An integration subsidy can be paid if the employee you wish to hire is not yet able to perform the full workload at the start of employment. For example, because the person does not yet have the necessary professional experience and knowledge required for the job and the induction period therefore takes longer than usual. However, a normal induction period cannot be funded.

The amount and duration of support depend on the individual case. Standard funding is limited to a maximum of 12 months and 50 percent of the salary. Longer or higher funding is possible for certain groups of people (e.g. older or disabled people).

The integration subsidy is paid monthly in arrears as a subsidy towards wage costs. This is generally based on the wages you actually pay. Your share of the total social insurance contribution is taken into account as a lump sum.

The integration subsidy is only paid if it is necessary for the professional integration of the person. You do not have a legal entitlement to a subsidy.

Funding is excluded if you terminate an existing employment relationship in order to receive an integration grant. Funding is also not possible if you wish to employ someone who has been employed by you for more than 3 months in the last 4 years and was subject to compulsory insurance.

• Completed questionnaire to check the eligibility requirements
• Application form
• employment contract

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance necessary: No
Online services available: Yes

• You want to employ a person who is difficult to place in the labor market.
• The employee is initially expected to perform less well than usual.
• The financial compensation provided by the integration subsidy is necessary in order to permanently integrate the employee into the labor market.

Contradiction

You can apply for the integration grant online or by post.

If you would like to submit the application by post:

• Get in touch with your personal contact at the employer service of the employment agency or job center. They will provide you with the forms to fill in and instructions on the application procedure.
  • If you do not yet have a personal contact, please call the toll-free employer hotline on 0800 4555520.
• Complete the application in full and submit it to the Jobcenter.
• Submit all the required documents online or subsequently by post.
• You will then receive a notification from the Jobcenter by post.

If you would like to submit the application online:

• Register with the employment agency as a company.
• Go to the Federal Employment Agency's "eServices" online portal and follow the instructions.
• You can complete the application directly online.
• The remaining steps are the same as the written application procedure.

There is no deadline. You must apply for the integration grant before you conclude the employment contract with your new employee.

There are no costs.: Fee free of charge