Social assistance

Anyone can fall on hard times due to an accident, illness, death of a partner, unemployment, lack of income or insufficient income. Under certain conditions, they can then receive social assistance. Social assistance is a right guaranteed by law. However, this only applies if the person concerned cannot help themselves and no one else can help them. It does not matter what caused the need.

Social assistance is available in various forms:

• in the form of money, both as a regular monthly payment and as a one-off benefit
• as a benefit in kind
• as personal assistance, for example in obtaining accommodation or a place in a home
• through advice and support for those seeking help

Social assistance is provided by local authorities (rural districts and independent cities) and the supra-local social assistance provider (Landeswohlfahrtsverband Hessen).

Social welfare is divided into 7 sub-areas. You can find more information under the following headings.

• Assistance with living expenses
• Basic security in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity
• Health assistance
• Integration assistance for disabled people
• Care assistance
• Assistance to overcome particular social difficulties
• Assistance in other life situations

People seeking advice and assistance can contact the social welfare office in their place of residence or district directly.