đź“ž Advice and points of contact
In brief
For questions about disability, Germany has many offices with different responsibilities. The most accessible is the Supplementary Independent Participation Counselling (Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung, EUTB): it advises free of charge, independently of the benefit providers and often on the peer counselling principle – that is, by people with their own experience of disability for people seeking advice. For specific procedures, the Versorgungsamt (ID, GdB), the Integrationsamt (protection against dismissal, workplace funding) and the respective rehabilitation providers are also responsible.
Social associations such as the Sozialverband VdK or the SoVD often additionally offer their members legal advice and representation in objection and court proceedings.
Step by step
- Use the EUTB for orientationFor a first independent assessment of which benefits come into question and who is responsible, the EUTB is the right first point of contact.
- Contact the specialist office depending on your concernFor the ID and GdB the Versorgungsamt, for protection against dismissal and workplace funding the Integrationsamt, for integration assistance the responsible social assistance provider.
- Consider joining a social associationSocial associations such as VdK or SoVD often offer legal advice and representation in social law proceedings in return for a membership fee.
- Legal support for objections and court actionsIf needed, out-of-court legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) can be applied for at the local court (Amtsgericht) and, for court proceedings, legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe); specialist lawyers for social law specialise in these proceedings.
Deadlines
- The EUTB advises independently but does not itself decide on applications – it does not replace the application to the responsible provider but helps to find the right one.
- Not every advice centre is organised or funded uniformly nationwide – supra-local integration assistance advice in particular is designed differently depending on the federal state and district; actual local availability should be asked about directly.
- Do not confuse the Integrationsamt (protection against dismissal, workplace funding for employers and employees) with the Versorgungsamt (ID, GdB) – they are different authorities with different tasks.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Supplementary Independent Participation Counselling (EUTB)
The EUTB supports people with disabilities, people at risk of disability and their relatives free of charge and independently of providers on questions of rehabilitation and participation, among other things before applications for medical rehabilitation benefits or benefits for participation in working life. Its hallmark is the peer counselling principle: advice by people with their own experience of disability or illness. The nationwide networking of the EUTB advice centres takes place through a central Fachstelle Teilhabeberatung (specialist office for participation counselling).
Integrationsamt
Integrationsämter are responsible, among other things, for the consent procedure for dismissals of severely disabled people (§§ 168 ff. SGB IX), for collecting the compensation levy (§ 160 SGB IX) and for funding disability-appropriate workplaces from its proceeds.
Versorgungsamt
The Versorgungsamt or the corresponding state authority determines disability, GdB and markers and issues the severe disability ID (§ 152 SGB IX).
Social associations and legal support
Social associations such as the Sozialverband VdK Deutschland or the Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD) often offer members free or discounted legal advice and representation in social law objection and court proceedings. For out-of-court legal advice independent of association membership, there is legal advice assistance (Beratungshilfe) at the responsible local court, and for court proceedings, where applicable, legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe).
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.