Non-Touchable Assets
Some assets are not considered in the Bafög calculation, as they are deemed necessary for living expenses or retirement provisions. These include:
- Appropriate Retirement Provisions: Assets dedicated to private retirement savings remain exempt from consideration up to a reasonable amount. This includes products such as Riester pensions or company pension schemes.
- Household Items: Common household items like furniture, appliances, and personal belongings are not regarded as assets and thus remain unconsidered.
Self-Used Properties
A property where the applicant resides is not counted as an asset, as it is considered necessary living space. This applies whether it’s a house or a condominium, provided the property is actually inhabited by the applicant and is not rented out.
Purpose-Bound Assets
Assets that are specifically earmarked for particular purposes and are not freely disposable are also unconsidered. These include:
- Building Savings Contracts: Building savings contracts intended for the purchase or construction of a self-used property can remain exempt from consideration under certain conditions.
- Educational or Training Funds: Assets explicitly designated for financing vocational training (Ausbildung), such as educational funds, remain exempt from consideration up to a certain amount.
Exemptions for Special Life Situations
In specific life situations, additional exemptions may be granted that reduce the countable assets. These include:
- Maintenance Obligations: If the applicant is obligated to provide maintenance for a spouse or their own children, an extra allowance of €2,300 per entitled person is granted.
- Care Costs: Assets intended for covering the care costs of a close relative remain unconsidered, provided this is substantiated.
Special Regulations for Inheritances
Inheritances received by the applicant during the approval period are generally counted as assets. However, in certain cases, an exception may be made if the inheritance is purpose-bound, for example, for debt repayment or for acquiring a self-used property.
Assets Abroad
Assets located abroad are also considered, provided they are freely available. In specific cases, such as frozen assets or assets in crisis countries, an exception may be made if the applicant demonstrates that they cannot access the assets.
Evidence for Exceptions
To have exceptions in asset consideration accepted, appropriate evidence must be provided. This includes:
- Contracts and certificates for retirement provisions.
- Proof of residence for the self-used property.
- Contracts related to building savings or educational funds.
- Evidence of maintenance obligations and care costs.