Rechtsstand Herbst 202643 life situations645 topic pages41 roadmapsFree, no account
Rights, benefits, contact points · free · no account
Rights, benefits and deadlines, organised by your situation.
For 43 life situations: what applies, what to do first, which office is responsible. Every statement with legal basis and date.
Do you have a question about a decision, deadline or authority? Ask your question here.
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Often searched: Unemployment benefit I · Dismissal · Objection · Rent increase · Care grade · Debt collection
Do not miss: the most important roadmaps
Step by step, deadlines from your date. Answers stay in the browser.
- Roadmap · 18 steps · 5 phasesI have lost my jobFirst deadline: 3 days, register as job-seeking.
- Roadmap · 22 steps · 5 phasesReceived a decision, do not agreeFirst deadline: 1 month, lodge an objection.
- Roadmap · 11 steps · 5 phasesI cannot pay the rentFirst deadline: 2 months grace period after an eviction suit.
Lebenslagen
Each life situation has its own overview with 15 topic pages: first explained in brief, below that the in-depth section with legal basis.
No life situation matches. Try another word or ask your question.
Work, training & income8 life situations
- Unemployed peopleBasic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, formerly Bürgergeld), unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I), Jobcenter, sanctions, further training, debts.
- EmployeesProtection against dismissal, pay, holiday, working time, works council: rights and duties for employees.
- EmployersHiring, employment contract, mini-job, notifications, minimum wage, holiday, sickness, dismissal: for small businesses and private households.
- Self-employed peopleStart-up grant, health and pension insurance, taxes, false self-employment, insolvency, advice.
- TradespeopleMaster craftsman requirement, contract for work, invoice, taxes, pension, training, building site: for business owners and journeymen.
- StudentsBAföG (student financial aid), student loans, health insurance, housing, child benefit, side job, exam law, debts.
- PovertyHidden poverty, working poor, food banks (Tafel), education package, debt counselling, garnishment-protected account.
- Debtors & personal insolvencyPayment order (Mahnbescheid), garnishment, P-Konto, consumer insolvency, discharge of residual debt.
Family & children6 life situations
- Parents & familiesChild benefit, child supplement (Kinderzuschlag), daycare, school, sick days for children, youth welfare office (Jugendamt), children's rights.
- Single mothersAdvance maintenance payments, child maintenance, relief amount for single parents, child supplement, additional needs, daycare place, custody.
- Pregnancy & parental leaveMaternity protection, parental allowance (Elterngeld), parental leave, protection against dismissal, entitlement to a daycare place, returning to work.
- Separation & divorceYear of separation, divorce proceedings, pension and community-of-gains equalisation, maintenance, custody and contact rights.
- Care leaversTransition from youth welfare and foster families: help for young adults, aftercare, first own home.
- Domestic violenceExpulsion of the perpetrator, Protection against Violence Act (Gewaltschutzgesetz), women's refuge, criminal complaint, child protection, financial security after moving out.
Health & mental health10 life situations
- DepressionFirst point of contact, treatment, cost coverage, sick note, reduced earning capacity, severe disability.
- Burnout & exhaustionSick note, continued pay, sickness benefit (Krankengeld), gradual return to work, rehabilitation, rights at work.
- AddictionAdvice, treatment and rights for alcohol, drug, medication and gambling addiction.
- LonelinessRecognising loneliness, finding contact points, ways out of isolation – from immediate help to self-help groups.
- Crisis of meaningGuidance in existential crises and life upheavals – from the TelefonSeelsorge (telephone counselling service) to psychotherapy.
- Chronically ill peopleExemption from co-payments, home nursing care, aids and appliances, DMP (disease management programmes), rehabilitation, rights at work.
- DisabilitySevere disability card (Schwerbehindertenausweis), integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe), Budget for Work (Budget für Arbeit), protection against dismissal, care level (Pflegegrad).
- Patients & medical errorsInformation before treatment, access to records, medical errors, compensation for pain and suffering, health insurer, advice.
- Occupational disabilityReduced earning capacity pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente), private occupational disability insurance, rehabilitation before pension, basic income support for reduced earning capacity.
- People with reduced earning capacityIf your health no longer allows you to work full time: reduced earning capacity pension (EM-Rente), rehabilitation, end of sickness benefit entitlement, transitions.
Old age, care & inheritance5 life situations
- SeniorsPension, basic income support in old age, care, living will (Patientenverfügung), power of attorney for care and health matters (Vorsorgevollmacht), inheritance law.
- PensionersStatutory pension, taxes, health insurance, basic income support in old age, housing benefit (Wohngeld): the money guide for retirement age.
- Family carersCare leave (Pflegezeit), family care leave (Familienpflegezeit), protection against dismissal, respite care, relief amount, your own security.
- Grief & lossDeath of a loved one, funeral, inheritance, survivors' pensions, grief support.
- Heirs & estatesDeath, will, disclaiming an inheritance, certificate of inheritance, compulsory portion, debts, inheritance tax.
Housing, consumers & transport8 life situations
- TenantsRent increase, service charges, defects, termination, rent arrears – with the most important deadlines.
- Small landlordsChoosing tenants, deposit, rent level, operating costs, termination, late payment, taxes.
- Owners & self-buildersProperty purchase, building finance, building contract, owners' association, property tax, heating, letting.
- Homeless peopleAccommodation, emergency shelters, social benefits, documents and legal protection without a fixed address.
- ConsumersWithdrawal, defects, subscriptions, advertising calls, Schufa (credit agency), energy, bank account, loans.
- Vehicle ownersRegistration, insurance, vehicle tax, vehicle inspection (HU), fines, driving licence, buying a used car.
- Road accident victimsAccident scene, evidence, liability, claims settlement, compensation for pain and suffering, deadlines.
- TravellersPackage holiday, flight, rail, luggage, accommodation, rental car, entry, customs, insurance.
Law, state & society6 life situations
- Citizens and authoritiesUnderstanding a notice of decision (Bescheid), hearing, objection (Widerspruch), lawsuit, authority inaction, access to files, information, costs.
- SocietyKnowing and using fundamental rights: voting, demonstrating, requesting information, defending yourself against discrimination.
- Associations & NGOsFounding, non-profit status, board liability, donations, taxes, flat-rate allowances: for board members and volunteers.
- Suspects & defendantsSummons, right to remain silent, defence lawyer, search, pre-trial detention, penalty order (Strafbefehl), appeals, costs.
- People convicted of offencesRights in prison, release preparation, probation, certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis), fresh start with housing, work and money.
- Crime victimsJoining a prosecution as a private accessory (Nebenklage), psychosocial support during trial, social compensation, compensation for pain and suffering, victim protection.
Roadmaps
Answer a few questions and the next steps appear in the right order, with deadlines from your date. Answers stay in the browser.
SituationFirst deadlineScopeI have lost my job3 days register as job-seeking, Section 38 SGB III18 steps · 5 phasesOpen roadmapReceived a decision, do not agree1 month objection, Section 84 SGG / Section 70 VwGO22 steps · 5 phasesOpen roadmapI have been ill for a long timeday 4 sick note to the employer, Section 5 EFZG12 steps · 5 phasesOpen roadmapI cannot pay the rent2 months grace period after service of the eviction suit, Section 569 BGB11 steps · 5 phasesOpen roadmapWe are separating1 year separation year before divorce, Section 1566 BGB18 steps · 5 phasesOpen roadmapA relative needs caremonth of application benefits from the date of application, Section 33 SGB XI13 steps · 5 phasesOpen roadmap
Deadlines most often missed
- 3 daysRegister as job-seeking after learning of the dismissal§ 38 Abs. 1 SGB III
- 3 weeksAction against dismissal from receipt of the dismissal§ 4 KSchG
- 1 monthObjection against a decision of the Jobcenter, health fund or pension insurance§ 84 SGG
- 2 monthsGrace-period payment after service of the eviction suit§ 569 Abs. 3 Nr. 2 BGB
- day 4Sick note submit to the employer§ 5 Abs. 1 EFZG
How Wegweiser works
1
Two levels on every page
At the top in plain language: what applies, what to do, which deadline runs. Below, expandable, the in-depth section with statutes, figures and practice.
2
Evidenced and dated
Every statement names its legal basis and the legal position date. Sources are statutes, ordinances and official leaflets, not forums.
3
Responsibility instead of legal advice
Wegweiser says which office is responsible and what to expect there. It does not replace legal advice in individual cases.
In acute need: Police 110 · Ambulance/fire 112 · TelefonSeelsorge (crisis line) 0800 111 0 111 (free, 24/7) · Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen (violence against women helpline) 116 016 · Nummer gegen Kummer (children and young people) 116 111.
Ask your question
On a decision, deadline, application or responsibility. You get an answer with the matching page, the responsible office and the next step, usually within two working days. No legal advice in individual cases, no sharing of your data.