Application for Basic Security in Old Age For Ukrainian Refugees in Germany,

Ukrainian refugees aged 65 and older facing financial hardship in Germany may qualify for Grundsicherung im Alter, a social benefit designed to ensure basic needs are met during retirement years. This financial support is available to those with temporary protection status under paragraph 24 of the Residence Act, providing a crucial safety net for elderly Ukrainians who fled their homeland with limited resources.

Key Takeaways

Eligibility requirements include being at least 65 years old, having insufficient income, and legally residing in Germany with temporary protection status.
Applications can be submitted at your local Sozialamt (social welfare office) with assistance available in Ukrainian or Russian in many offices.
The benefit covers basic living expenses, reasonable housing costs, and health insurance.
Receiving this benefit does not jeopardize your temporary protection status in Germany.
Family members can assist elderly relatives with gathering documents and attending appointments.

What is Basic Security in Old Age?

Grundsicherung im Alter (Basic Security in Old Age) is a social benefit program designed to help elderly people who don’t have enough money to cover their basic needs. The benefit provides financial support for daily living expenses, housing costs, and health insurance for eligible seniors.

The system works as a safety net to ensure that older people in Germany don’t fall into poverty. For Ukrainian refugees who may have limited access to their savings or pensions from home, this benefit can be particularly important for maintaining their quality of life.

Eligibility Requirements for Ukrainian Refugees

To qualify for Basic Security in Old Age as a Ukrainian refugee, you must meet several key criteria. First, you need to be at least 65 years old or have a permanent full reduction in earning capacity due to disability.

You must also have insufficient financial resources to support yourself, including income from pensions, savings, or family support. Additionally, you must be legally residing in Germany under temporary protection status granted to Ukrainian refugees under paragraph 24 of the Residence Act.

Application Process: Step-by-Step

The application process starts at your local social welfare office (Sozialamt) in the city or district where you live. You can either visit in person or call ahead to make an appointment, which is often recommended to reduce waiting times.

Many offices now offer assistance in Ukrainian or Russian, and translation services may be available if needed. If you don’t speak German, it’s helpful to bring a family member or friend who can assist with translation.

Required Documents

When applying for Basic Security in Old Age, you’ll need to bring several important documents. These typically include your temporary residence permit, Ukrainian passport or ID, proof of address in Germany, and any documentation about income or assets you may have.

If you receive a Ukrainian pension or have bank accounts in Ukraine, bring any documentation you have about these resources. The social welfare office will need this information to determine your financial need.

Timeline and Processing

Once you’ve submitted your application with all required documents, processing typically takes between 4–8 weeks. In urgent cases, you may be able to receive advance payments while your application is being processed.

Benefits are usually paid monthly and directly into your bank account. If you don’t yet have a German bank account, the social welfare office can advise on alternative payment options.

Combining with Other Benefits

Basic Security in Old Age can be combined with other benefits that Ukrainian refugees may receive. Your housing costs are covered as part of the benefit, which means you may not need to apply separately for housing assistance.

The benefit also includes health insurance coverage, ensuring you have access to necessary medical care. If you have special needs due to disability or chronic illness, you may qualify for additional support.

Impact on Residence Status

Many Ukrainian refugees worry that receiving social benefits might negatively affect their residence status. However, receiving Basic Security in Old Age does not jeopardize your temporary protection status in Germany.

Unlike some other residence permits, the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees does not require financial self-sufficiency. You can receive social benefits without fear of losing your right to stay in Germany.

Family Support

Family members can play an important role in helping elderly relatives apply for Basic Security in Old Age. They can assist by gathering necessary documents, accompanying seniors to appointments, and helping with translation if needed.

When multiple generations of a Ukrainian family live together, the calculation of benefits may be affected by the income of household members. However, elderly individuals may still qualify even if younger family members are employed.