hilfebedürftig

Hilfebedürftig is an adjective in German used to describe a person who requires assistance to cover basic living costs. In everyday language it denotes a lack of sufficient income or resources to secure essentials such as housing, food, and clothing. In social law, hilfebedürftig is a formal criterion for eligibility for welfare benefits.

The designation is most commonly encountered in the German welfare system, particularly under the Sozialgesetzbuch II (SGB II) and Sozialhilfe. A person is considered hilfebedürftig when the available means, including earnings, savings, and other support, are not enough to cover subsistence needs after reasonable efforts to increase income are taken into account. The assessment also takes into account capacity to work, health, age, and family status. If deemed hilfebedürftig, the person may be entitled to benefits such as unemployment benefits II (Arbeitslosengeld II) or social assistance (Sozialhilfe), as well as housing and heating allowances.

The term can apply to adults and to dependent children living in need. Because it is a legal category, its interpretation can vary with jurisdiction and over time, and in everyday language it can carry stigmatizing connotations. Some contexts prefer more neutral formulations, such as stating that someone receives social benefits rather than labeling them hilfebedürftig.

See also: SGB II, Sozialhilfe, Arbeitslosengeld II.