Participation Services

The specialist service for participation is the competent contact point for all people with a significant mental, intellectual and/or physical impairment in the city of Bremen.

We implement the Federal Participation Act by providing services under the integration assistance program. Our goal is to promote full, effective, and equal participation in life, to prevent or counteract disadvantages, and thus to enable self-determined living in society.

The specific services provided through integration assistance are determined by individual needs. The right of those entitled to benefits to express their wishes and make choices is of great importance in determining these needs. We can provide services in the following areas:

Medical rehabilitation (unless another rehabilitation provider is responsible, for example the health insurance company)

Participation in employment:

• Workshop for disabled people
• Budget for work
• other service providers according to § 60 SGB IX

Participation in education:

• in general education schools
• to obtain a school/university vocational qualification

Social participation:

• Housing services (accessible housing)
• Assistance services
• Special education services (for preschool children)
• Services for care in a foster family
• Services for acquiring and maintaining practical knowledge and skills (for example, day care center)
• Services to promote communication (for example, sign language interpreters)
• Mobility services (for example, transportation services)
• Aids
• Visiting allowances

The following areas belong to the specialist service for participation:

• Young people
• Central entrance management
• Shareholders' Department
• Benefits to ensure basic needs
• Early Intervention Control Center

FAQ

Where can I get information about services for participation?

All rehabilitation providers are obligated to provide advice on services for participation. These providers include health insurance funds, pension insurance institutions, accident insurance funds, the Federal Employment Agency, social compensation authorities, youth welfare agencies, and integration assistance providers. You can also obtain information from the offices of the Supplementary Independent Participation Advisory Service (EUTB).

Who receives benefits from integration assistance?

People with a significant disability that is not merely temporary, as defined in the Integration Assistance Ordinance, can receive benefits.

Integration assistance is secondary to the services provided by other rehabilitation providers. Therefore, it is only available if there is no other rehabilitation provider that can provide the necessary service for you.

Who do I need to contact if I want to apply for participation benefits but don't know who is responsible?

For benefits under the German Social Code, Book IX (SGB IX): In principle, you can contact any rehabilitation provider. According to Section 14 of the SGB IX, rehabilitation providers are obligated to cooperate.

All rehabilitation providers are checking their subject-matter and geographical jurisdiction. If it becomes apparent that a rehabilitation provider is not responsible, the applications will be forwarded to the responsible provider within 14 days. You will be informed of this.

I need support due to my disability. However, I don't know exactly what benefits I can apply for.

Please feel free to contact us. You have the opportunity to speak with a participation planner to clarify what support options are available to you. If, in addition to the support provided by integration assistance, other services are necessary, we will involve the responsible rehabilitation providers.

Will my income and assets be taken into account?

Integration assistance benefits are only partially dependent on income and assets. The Federal Participation Act significantly raised the income thresholds, meaning that more people without an income can receive integration assistance.

What does Personal Budget mean?

The personal budget is another form of service provision according to Section 29 of the German Social Code, Book IX (SGB IX). If there is a need for services to promote participation in society, you can decide whether these services are provided, for example, as a lump sum by a service provider. Alternatively, you can organize the same type of service yourself. In this case, you are responsible for ensuring the service is provided and are bound to this decision for at least six months.