Hilfebedürftige

Hilfebedürftige is a German term used to describe people who are in need of assistance to secure their livelihood. Etymologically, Hilfe means "help" and bedürftig means "in need." In everyday language the word signals a vulnerability to poverty or a requirement for support from social or state systems.

In the German welfare state, Hilfebedürftigkeit is a legally defined condition used in various social codes (SGB II, SGB XII). It designates a subsistence shortfall for which the state may provide assistance, for example through Grundsicherung or unemployment-related benefits. The designation is used by authorities to determine eligibility and benefit levels; it is not a medical diagnosis but a socio-economic status defined by income, assets, household composition and other factors.

Hilfebedürftige can include unemployed jobseekers, retirees with low pensions, disabled persons with insufficient income, or families experiencing temporary hardship. The status can be temporary or long-lasting and may arise from changes in employment, health, or family circumstances. The term thus captures both individual and household subsistence needs and is used to describe eligibility for social support.

Because the label can carry stigma, some contexts prefer neutral terms such as Leistungsberechtigte (benefit recipients) or phrases like Personen mit Leistungsanspruch to emphasize legal rights rather than dependency. The terminology reflects both administrative practicalities and evolving social attitudes toward welfare and poverty.