Housing and assistance: what integration assistance provides

Legal status: 08.10.2026 (federal law, checked against the statutory text). Who is responsible is determined by state law; requirements and scope are determined in the individual case. Legal terms are translated here for understanding; the German wording of the law is what counts.

Benefits for housing

Benefits for housing are provided to help those entitled obtain housing suitable for leading a life that is as self-determined and self-responsible as possible. They comprise benefits for obtaining, converting, equipping and maintaining housing that meets the special needs of people with disabilities. ^[1] Expenses for housing above the reasonableness limit under the Twelfth Book are to be reimbursed as far as an increased need for housing exists because of the extent of assistance services. ^[1]

Assistance services

Assistance is meant to help cope with everyday life, including structuring the day, in a self-determined and independent way. It comprises in particular the general tasks of everyday life such as housekeeping, shaping social relationships, personal life planning, taking part in community and cultural life and leisure activities, as well as ensuring the effectiveness of medical services. It also includes communication with the environment in these areas. ^[2] On the basis of the participation plan, you decide on the concrete arrangement of the benefits regarding sequence, place and time. ^[2] The benefits comprise, on the one hand, the full or partial taking over of actions for coping with everyday life and accompaniment, and on the other hand enabling independent management of daily life by professionals (qualified assistance) with guidance and exercises. ^[2] Mothers and fathers with disabilities too can receive assistance with the care and upbringing of their children. ^[2]

Having a say in the form of housing

The benefits of integration assistance are determined by the particularities of the individual case, in particular by the type of need, personal circumstances, social environment and own strengths and means; the form of housing is also to be taken into account. ^[3] Wishes that relate to the shaping of the benefit are to be granted as far as they are reasonable. They are not regarded as reasonable if the costs of the benefit wished for disproportionately exceed the costs of a comparable benefit and the need can be met by the comparable benefit. ^[3] If living outside special forms of housing comes into question, this form of housing is to be given preference if the person entitled so wishes. ^[3]

What the 2021 S3 guideline recommended for supported housing and residential homes is here: Living with autism.

What else you should know

• Responsibility and application: Integration assistance under SGB IX and Applying and filing an objection.
• Money instead of benefits in kind: Personal budget.
• At 18: Coming of age at 18.
• Not covered: counting of income and assets, costs of special forms of housing, care benefits in housing, specific providers.

Sources and literature

1. § 77 SGB IX – Leistungen für Wohnraum (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__77.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
2. § 78 SGB IX – Assistenzleistungen (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__78.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
3. § 104 SGB IX – Leistungen nach der Besonderheit des Einzelfalles (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__104.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
4. § 113 SGB IX – Leistungen zur Sozialen Teilhabe (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__113.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)