Apply for a sign-up bonus
Financial assistance for recipients of the basic income who take up paid employment or self-employment (Section 16b of Book II of the Social Code).
Wo wohnen Sie?
Damit wir Apply for a sign-up bonus mit dem zuständigen Jobcenter in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.
Oder Großstadt wählen:
Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Apply for a sign-up bonus.
Quick answer
- 1
Documents you need
Employment contract or business plan · Personalausweis oder Reisepass
- 2
Responsible authority
The authority of your main residence
- 3
How to do it
In person or by post at the office
- 4
Costs
Kostenlos – keine Gebühr für den Antrag
How to proceed
- 1
Submit an application to the Job Center
Before starting work, with an employment contract or business plan.
- 2
Review by the Job Center
Assessment of employment and eligibility for funding.
- 3
Approval and Payment
A wage subsidy for up to 24 months, on a sliding scale.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Recipients of the citizen's income who begin employment subject to social insurance contributions or self-employment.
Income limit
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 weeks
Success rate
approx. 72.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Application submitted only after starting work
- •Employment contract not attached
Common reasons for rejection
- •Employment has already begun without a prior application
- •Number of hours below the minimum threshold
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.
Related services
Questions & Answers
Wie lange dauert Einstiegsgeld beantragen?▼
In der Regel ca. 14 Werktage – je nach Behörde und Auslastung.
Freshness & source
- Maintenance
- Continuously reviewed & updated
- Source
- Bundesportal (verwaltung.bund.de)
- Data quality
- 100 %