Benefits for participation in working life: what SGB IX provides

Legal status: 08.10.2026 (federal law, checked against the statutory text). Which body is responsible and whether benefits are approved is decided in the individual case. Legal terms are translated here for understanding; the German wording of the law is what counts.

What the benefits include

Under section 49 SGB IX, the benefits for participation in working life comprise in particular ^[1]:

• help in keeping or obtaining a job including services for activation and vocational integration,
• vocational preparation including basic training made necessary by the disability,
• individual in-company qualification within supported employment,
• vocational adaptation and further training,
• vocational training,
• promoting the start of self-employment,
• other help to promote participation in working life.

The benefits also include medical, psychological and educational help as far as necessary in the individual case. The law names, among other things, help in coming to terms with illness and disability, help with mental stabilisation and with promoting social competence (also through training in social and communicative skills and in dealing with crisis situations) and training in practical life skills. In addition come information and advice for supervisors and colleagues, if you agree. ^[1]

The benefits also include, depending on the case, the costs of job coaching and of necessary work assistance for severely disabled people as help in obtaining a job. Aids and technical work aids can also be included as far as they are necessary because of the type or severity of the disability and there is no obligation on the employer or the benefit can be provided as a medical benefit. ^[1]

How benefits are selected

In selecting benefits, aptitude, inclination, previous activity as well as the situation and development of the labour market are appropriately taken into account. Where necessary, vocational aptitude is clarified or a work trial is carried out. ^[1] The benefits are also provided for periods of necessary placements. ^[1]

Help in training and in job searching

Anyone looking for training will find rules for it in the Vocational Training Act: Vocational training with autism. For support when starting a career and in applications, the 2021 S3 guideline named application training and reasonable adjustments: Work and career in autism.

The integration office: accompanying help in working life

The tasks of the integration offices include, among others, accompanying help in working life. ^[2] It is carried out in close cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency and the other rehabilitation providers and is meant to work towards severely disabled people being employed in jobs where they can fully use and develop their abilities and knowledge. It also includes the psychosocial support necessary in the individual case; the integration office can involve integration specialist services. ^[2] It can also provide cash benefits, for example for technical work aids or to employers for equipping workplaces and training places in a way suited to the disability. ^[2] This concerns severely disabled people; on the degree of disability: Severe disability card and GdB.

Who is responsible and how to start

As rehabilitation providers for benefits for participation in working life, the Federal Employment Agency, the pension insurance, the accident insurance or the integration assistance providers can come into question, for example. ^[3] When you apply, the provider approached checks its responsibility within two weeks and otherwise forwards the application without delay. ^[4] More on this: Understanding the support system and Applying and filing an objection.

What else you should know

• Independent advice before applying: Finding advice.
• You have a say. The law requires aptitude and inclination to be taken into account. ^[1]
• Not covered: workshops for disabled people, budget for work, compensatory levy, protection against dismissal, requirements in detail and benefit amounts.

Sources and literature

1. § 49 SGB IX – Leistungen zur Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__49.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
2. § 185 SGB IX – Aufgaben des Integrationsamtes (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__185.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
3. § 6 SGB IX – Rehabilitationsträger (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__6.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
4. § 14 SGB IX – Leistender Rehabilitationsträger (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__14.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)