Anyone who has suffered damage to their health as a result of an event for which the state bears a special responsibility may be entitled to state benefits. Social compensation law exists for this purpose. Compensation can be paid to victims of violent crimes, but also to victims of the aftermath of both world wars, victims of civilian service and vaccination victims. The competent administrative authorities of the federal states are responsible for authorising benefits.

The Federal Social Compensation Office (BfSE) makes an important contribution. It supports the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs as a competence centre. It acts as the German Assistance Authority for cross-border cases in the EU. It also manages the Advisory Council for Social Compensation, organises specialist events and compiles official statistics.

As the central point of contact, the Victims' Representatives in the federal states provide initial counselling and arrange suitable support.

To make a direct application for compensation, please contact the nearest competent administrative authority in your federal state. Outpatient trauma counselling services are available for initial psychotherapeutic support.

Further Tasks

German Assisting Authority

The German Assisting Authority assists victims of crimes in cross-border cases with the practical and linguistic aspects of the compensation process.

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More about social compensation law

Social compensation law was originally based on the Federal War Victims Relief Act, which was designed to provide state assistance to war victims and surviving dependants of the two world wars.

However, the number of cases of victims of world wars is falling from year to year, whereas the number of cases of victims of violent crimes is increasing. Later, other groups of victims for whom the state has a special responsibility were taken into account. Today, victims of violent crimes, vaccination victims, victims of the former German Democratic Republic (during the SED regime) and victims of military and civilian service are also entitled to social compensation benefits.

With the entry into force of the Fourteenth Social Code (SGB XIV) on 1 January 2024, social compensation law was comprehensively revised. The aim of the legislator is to enable faster, more transparent and more targeted utilisation of benefits.

The benefits under SGB XIV are varied and their amount depends on the extent and severity of the consequences of the injury suffered by the beneficiary. Newly introduced are the so-called rapid assistance, higher non-creditable monthly compensation payments or one-off payments and the strengthening of participation. In addition, the burden of proof has been eased for victims of sexual violence for offences committed a long time ago.

In addition to victims, the group of entitled persons also includes relatives, surviving dependants and loved ones.