Office for Migration

Apply for asylum seeker benefits

If you are seeking asylum in Germany and need financial or medical assistance, you can apply for asylum seeker benefits.

Detailed description

As an asylum seeker, you can find more information at the following link:


www.hamburg.de/go/asylblg Apply for benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act. There are various types of benefits:



Basic benefits are intended to cover your essential needs for subsistence. This includes, for example, food, accommodation, heating, clothing, personal hygiene, and household goods. Additional benefits are also available to meet your essential personal needs, ensuring your participation in social life.



As an expectant mother, you can receive benefits during pregnancy and childbirth. This can include maternity clothing or essential baby items (for example, diapers and a diaper bag).



Health services are designed to guarantee your healthcare if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover, for example, medical examinations and treatments, as well as vaccinations.



Other benefits may include special assistance to secure your livelihood or the needs of your children (for example, school supplies). Benefits for interpreters and passport costs are also possible.



Benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act can be provided to you as in-kind benefits, cash benefits, vouchers, or other forms. Depending on your living situation, the size of your family, and your place of residence, the type and amount of benefits may vary. The amount of benefits granted is regularly adjusted to your individual circumstances.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You come from a third country and do not have the nationality of an EU country.
  • They are staying in Germany.
  • You meet one of the following criteria
    • You have a residence permit under the Asylum Act.
    • You want to enter via an airport and entry is not (yet) permitted.
    • You have a residence permit according to §§ 23 (1), 24 (1), or 25 (4) S. 1 Residence Act.
    • You have a residence permit under Section 25 (5) of the Residence Act and the decision to suspend your deportation was made less than 18 months ago.
    • You have a toleration permit according to Section 60a of the Residence Act.
    • You are the spouse or life partner or minor child of the aforementioned persons.
    • You submit a follow-up application under Section 71 of the Asylum Act or a second application under Section 71a of the Asylum Act.
    • You have applied for a residence permit after the end of the asylum procedure, but have not yet received it and are in possession of a fictitious certificate.
  • You have used up your income and assets at your disposal or they are not sufficient to ensure your livelihood.
  • You are not entitled to basic security benefits (SGB II and SGB XII) or assistance with living expenses.
  • You are not entitled to statutory health insurance.

Documents required

  • Checklist, explanation of the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (AsybLG), data protection declaration, declaration pursuant to Section 1a of the AsylbLG (all available at www.hamburg.de/go/asylblg)
  • Proof of current residence (for example, passport, residence permit, tolerated stay)
  • Proof of assets (for example, bank statements for accounts and investments at home and abroad, vehicles, jewelry, real estate)
  • Proof of income of all family members in the household (for example, pay slips, pension statements, child benefit, BAföG, maintenance advance)

If applicable, additionally:

  • Proof of health, long-term care and other insurance
  • Performance-related documentation (for example, maternity record, school certificate, cost estimates, notices, travel expense receipts)
  • Proof of previous social benefits (for example, cancellation notice from the job center, notices of termination from other municipalities)
  • Rental agreement and proof of current rent, heating costs and electricity
  • Marriage certificate, divorce decree, proof of spousal maintenance
  • Proof of visitation rights (for parents living separately in Germany)

Please note

Benefit recipients can report the loss or blocking of their social card or payment card via our portal: www.hamburg.de/go/asylblg (under Notification/Inquiries; Payment Card)

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You submit your application, along with the necessary documents, to the responsible authority via the link: www.hamburg.de/go/asylblg.
  • The responsible authority will review your application and may request missing documents or information from you.
  • The responsible agency will calculate your needs, decide on your application, and inform you of the result. You will receive written notification. If your application is approved, you will receive an approval notice. If it is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.
  • In both cases, the notification contains the reasons for the decision as well as information about the possibility of lodging an objection.
  • The approval notice contains information on the scope of the benefit and the start of the payment or provision.

Processing time

Up to several weeks

Fees

No

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§§ 3 ff. Asylum Seekers Benefits Act


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/asylblg/__3.html

Related services

Address and contact information

Office for Migration

Services for Asylum Seekers Unit M43

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Last updated: 11.10.2026