Subsistence benefit is financial aid for a person or a family to ensure the essential resources needed for everyday life (food, clothing, housing costs, etc.) that can be requested from your local city district government. People and families whose net monthly income is below the established subsistence level after deducting housing costs are eligible to receive income support.

The subsistence level in 2024 is:

•         200 euros to the only or first member of the household;
•       160 euros to every following adult family member;
•       240 euros to every child under 18 years old.

The general formula for calculating the subsistence benefit is: subsistence benefit = subsistence level + housing costs (taking into consideration reasonable social standards for housing + the subsistence level of housing expenditures) - income

An additional support of €15 will be paid to single-parent families whose children are all under the age of 18.

Examples of calculating subsistence benefit:

Example: a three-member single-parent household:

The applicant lives with two children under the age of 18 (10 and 13 years old). The parent does not work but receives €60 a month of family support for each child as income. On top of that, the family receives maintenance allowance, which is €100 a month for each child. Thus, the family’s income totals €320 (60+60+100+100). Their place of residence is a two-room apartment with a total area of 51 m² and their housing costs per month are €330.

The estimated subsistence benefit is calculated the following way: the family’s subsistence level €680 (200+240+240) + housing costs €330 - income 320 = subsistence benefit €690. An additional €15 in social aid will be paid to the recipient of the subsistence benefit whose family members are all under 18 years old. Therefore, the total income of the family will be €1025 (child support €120 + maintenance allowance €200 + subsistence benefit €690 + €15 additional social aid).

Example: one-person household

The person lives alone in a one-room apartment with a total area of 30 m² and their income comes from a partial incapacity for work aid in the sum of 255 euros. The housing costs total 270 euros a month.

The estimated subsistence benefit is calculated the following way: the family’s subsistence level €200 + housing costs €270 - partial incapacity for work aid (income) €255 = subsistence benefit €215. Their total income is €420 (partial incapacity for work aid €255 + subsistence benefit €215).