Good to know: Financial Assistance from German Goverment for Ukraine Refugees

To receive financial assistance, you need a residence permit or provisional residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung) from the foreigners authority. If you don’t have a job in Germany, or if your job doesn’t pay enough to cover your living expenses, you can receive money from your local job centre. Your local social benefits office (Sozialamt) will help you if you are only able to work to a limited extent, or not able to work at all, for health-related reasons, or if you are retired.

What kind of financial assistance can I receive?

The job centre or social benefits office will provide assistance so that you can pay for your living expenses, housing and heating. This assistance comes in the form of cash or vouchers, for example for food, clothing, personal hygiene and rent.

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What do I need to do to start receiving financial assistance?

First of all, you need to register at an initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung) or foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde). You will then receive a document that will enable you to apply for benefits at your local job centre or social benefits office. To receive assistance, you will also need to apply for a residence permit later when you have a permanent place to stay.

Will my family members receive assistance too?

Family members who live with you can also receive assistance if they need it. They will have to register and apply for assistance.

Can I keep my own money if I apply for financial assistance?

If you are earning your own money, you need less money from the job centre or social benefits office. Your income is taken into account. Your assets are only counted if they are worth more than a certain defined amount. That means you don’t have to use up all your savings. You can keep your own money and other assets up to a certain amount. Your assets in Ukraine are not counted if you can’t access them.

Official Website Federal Office of Migration and Refugees:

The Germany4Ukraine Informational Guide