Apply for citizen's allowance for one-off benefits

Moving, pregnancy, childbirth: If you lack the money for certain situations in your life, you can apply for one-off benefits.

Use Online-Service

apply for citizenship

Detailed description

If you have no or only a small income or assets, you can apply for citizen's allowance for one-off payments in special circumstances. It doesn't matter whether you currently receive money from the job center or not.



Situations in which you may be entitled to one-off benefits include, for example:

  • They are expecting a child and need new equipment and clothing.
  • You need furniture or household appliances for the first time, or you have to buy new ones after a divorce.
  • You need orthopedic shoes or need to have them repaired.
  • You need to have therapeutic devices or equipment repaired.

In these and other cases, you can apply for either a cash benefit or a benefit in kind (vouchers) from the job center.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • They are capable of working but are currently unable to financially support themselves, and probably will be unable to do so for the next 6 months.
  • Payment of the one-time fee is necessary.

Documents required

  • Identity card or passport
  • Proof of income
  • If applicable: Proof of assets
  • If applicable: rental agreement, proof of rent payments or mortgages
  • Evidence of the intended use of the service (for example, maternity record, prescription, cost estimates)

Depending on the circumstances of your case, additional or different documents may be required. The responsible authority will inform you.

Please note

You may only use the one-time payment for the stated purpose.

Deadlines

Submit the application before making the purchases.

Procedure

  • You can contact the relevant office by phone, email, or in person. There you will receive further information and, if needed, an application form. Alternatively, you can also apply for the services online.
  • You submit your application to the relevant authority and attach the necessary documents.
  • The responsible authority will review your application and may request missing documents or information from you.
  • The responsible authority will decide on your application and inform you of the decision in writing.
  • The responsible authority will pay you the approved amount or send you the benefit in kind (voucher).

Processing time

Processing your application may take several weeks.

Fees

If you have a bank account, the service is free.




If the loan amount is to be paid out to you and you do not have your own bank account, fees may apply. The relevant authority can provide you with more detailed information.

Legal remedies

If the job center rejects your application and/or you do not agree with the job center's decision, you can appeal the decision within one month.

Legal basis

Section 24 paragraph 3 sentence 1 of the second book of the Social Code (SGB II)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_2/__24.html

Links on the Internet

Find out your responsible facility

Angaben zur Zuständigkeit
Bitte geben Sie hier die Wohnanschrift mit Straße und Hausnummer an

Haven't found the right one yet?

To Hamburg Service startpage

Keywords: move orthopedic aids birth Home appliance Unemployment II Unemployment Benefit II Hartz IV pregnancy aid Basic equipment therapeutic devices citizen money

Last updated: 11.04.2026