Social security

Responsible for providing social security to people with low earnings or who are unemployed or other needy persons are the social-security offices of the towns in the Mettmann district (for social assistance, basic provision and services under the Asylumseeker Benefit Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz) and the external offices of Arge ME-aktiv (for unemployment benefit type II) Other authorities in the region are also responsible for social-security services. Information is available from the town halls in the towns of the Mettmann district.

Social aid:

Social aid is given to all persons who are unable to pay their costs of living out of their own earnings, capital or maintenance payments from third parties.

The social-security offices of the Mettmann district are responsible.

Benefits under the Asylum-Seeker Benefit Act

  • Asylum-seekers and foreign persons with temporary leave as well as persons with a residence permit under § 23 (1), § 24 and § 25 (4) and (5) Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), receive benefits under the Asylumseeker-Benefit Act if they have no income or capital of their own.

Responsibility lies with the social-security offices in the towns of the Mettmann district.

Type II unemployment benefit (ALG II):

  • Type II unemployment benefit is paid to all persons who are unemployed but physically and mentally capable of work and of paying their own living expenses through employment. ALG II benefits include measures of assistance to restore or improve employment opportunities.
    Responsibility lies with the local offices of Arge ME-aktiv in each town of the Mettmann district.

Type I unemployment benefit:

  • Unemployment benefit is an insurance payment provided out of unemployment insurance. Persons becoming unemployed receive this benefit depending on the length of their previous employment.
    Responsibility lies with the Employment Agency.

Child benefit:

  • Foreign persons who work in Germany receive child benefit for their children, the amount of which depends on the number of children. Child benefit is also paid to persons who do not work. Asylumseekers and foreign persons with temporary leave have no right to child benefit.
  • An application for child benefit is made to the family fund of the employment agency.