🪙 Wegweiser Poverty

15 topic pages on poverty in Germany – whether you are in work, looking for work, retired or in training. Each page first explains the topic briefly and clearly – and below that in detail, with deadlines, legal bases and figures.

How this page works. At the top you can search all topics by keyword. Each topic page begins with the In brief section in plain language. Below that you will find the most important deadlines, typical mistakes and a collapsible specialist section, "In depth", for advisory work with legal bases and figures.

As of September 2026. Poverty is treated here regardless of employment status; if you are looking specifically for the SGB II application procedure, sanctions or the integration agreement, you will find that in the module Unemployed people. Different definitions and rates of poverty (e.g. official statistics vs. association estimates) are never mixed here, but named individually with source and year; values that cannot be reliably verified are expressly marked as uncertain – also collected in Sources and methodology. The information does not replace legal advice.

Frequently searched

🧭 Overview: poverty and basic income support in Germany 🙈 Hidden poverty and non-take-up of benefits 💼 Topping up on a low income (working poor) 🥫 Food banks and other benefits in kind 🎒 Education and participation package (§ 28 SGB II) 🔌 Energy debt and power cut-offs 🛡️ Protected account (P-Konto) 📞 Advice and contact points

All topic areas

🧭Overview and basicsWhat poverty means legally and statistically – and which system is responsible.2 topics 💼Work and povertyWhen wages are not enough to live on: topping up and the working poor.1 topic 🛒Everyday life on a low incomeFood banks, benefits in kind, social pass and concessions.2 topics 👨‍👩‍👧Children and familyEducation and participation package, child poverty and family benefits.2 topics 🏠Housing and energyEnergy debt, power cut-offs, rent arrears and preventing loss of your home.2 topics 💳Debt and bank accountDebt counselling, personal insolvency, protected account and basic account.3 topics 🩺Health and old ageHealth consequences of poverty and basic income support in old age.2 topics 📞Advice and contact pointsWho helps with which issue.1 topic

🧭 Overview and basics

What poverty means legally and statistically – and which system is responsible.

🧭Overview: poverty and basic income support in GermanyWhat poverty in Germany means legally and statistically, which basic income support systems exist – and why your life situation decides which system is responsible. 🙈Hidden poverty and non-take-up of benefitsMany people who would be entitled to basic income support do not apply for it. Why that is – and how to check whether you are affected.

💼 Work and poverty

When wages are not enough to live on: topping up and the working poor.

💼Topping up on a low income (working poor)If you do not earn enough to live on despite working, you can receive basic income support as a top-up. What "topping up" (Aufstocken) means and what to bear in mind.

🛒 Everyday life on a low income

Food banks, benefits in kind, social pass and concessions.

🥫Food banks and other benefits in kindFood banks (Tafeln) and other in-kind support supplement, but do not replace, statutory basic income support. How access works. 🎫Social pass and concessionsMany towns and municipalities offer a social pass with discounted local transport, cultural and sports activities. But this is not a uniform nationwide offer.

👨‍👩‍👧 Children and family

Education and participation package, child poverty and family benefits.

🎒Education and participation package (§ 28 SGB II)School trips, tutoring, lunches, club fees: the education and participation package (Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket) supports children from low-income families in addition to the standard rate. 👨‍👩‍👧Child poverty and family benefits at a glanceChildren are affected by poverty more often than average. Which family benefits exist alongside basic income support and how they work together.

🏠 Housing and energy

Energy debt, power cut-offs, rent arrears and preventing loss of your home.

🔌Energy debt and power cut-offsBefore electricity or gas may be cut off, suppliers must comply with tight statutory deadlines and notification duties. What those affected should know. 🏚️Housing costs and rent arrearsRent arrears can affect anyone, regardless of employment status. Which deadlines apply to a termination for late payment and how eviction can still be averted.

💳 Debt and bank account

Debt counselling, personal insolvency, protected account and basic account.

📉Debt counselling and personal insolvencyDebt counselling is a mandatory municipal service. Since 2020 the route through personal insolvency leads to discharge of residual debt faster than before. 🛡️Protected account (P-Konto)A protected account (Pfändungsschutzkonto) automatically protects a basic allowance of your account balance from creditors. 🏦Account for everyone and bank feesAnyone legally resident in the EU is entitled to a basic account (Basiskonto) – regardless of income, Schufa entry or existing debts.

🩺 Health and old age

Health consequences of poverty and basic income support in old age.

🩺Health on a low incomeCo-payments under health insurance are capped by law. If you reach the annual ceiling, you can be exempted for the rest of the year. 👵Poverty in old ageIf your pension is not enough to live on, basic income support in old age is a separate benefit outside SGB II – with different rules from basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld).

📞 Advice and contact points

Who helps with which issue.

📞Advice and contact pointsAn overview of free advice services for poverty, debt and existential emergencies – regardless of whether you are in work or not.

For reference

📕Keyword indexAll terms from A to Z, with links to the matching topic pages. 📜Sources and methodWhere the information comes from and what is expressly uncertain. 🏠Other target groupsTo the overview of all Wegweiser portals.

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.