Subsistence allowance

Hlavní informace

The subsistence allowance is intended to cover the needs of a person (or jointly assessed persons) at a level that provides for their basic living conditions. This concerns mainly food, clothing, footwear, basic hygiene products, etc.

A group of persons jointly assessed consists of all persons who jointly use the dwelling or living space, have a contributing role and cover the costs of their needs. Generally, it is the circle of all members of a dwelling/living space whose social, proprietary and income conditions are assessed.

It is, therefore, a benefit granted when the conditions for entitlement to that benefit are met and an application is made on the basis of a written or online submission. The eligibility conditions can be found on the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs website.

In the evaluation of an application, assessment is made of the income, social and proprietary situation of the person and the persons jointly assessed. The matter of whether the person (or jointly assessed persons) can increase their income by their own action is assessed. An increase in income by own action means an increase in income through proper assertion of entitlements and claims (e.g. maintenance, entitlement to other benefits), sale or other use of property and own work (e.g. gainful activity, public service activity, active cooperation in the registration of jobseekers).

Týká se vás to pokud

You do not have sufficient income to meet basic living needs such as food, clothing and hygiene.

Kdy službu řešit

At any time when you do not have sufficient resources to meet your basic living requirements.

Vyřízení služby

Co potřebujete pokud službu řešíte

When you submit a Subsistence Allowance Application form, you need to fill in the Subsistence Allowance Application form, and the relevant annexes. To help you complete all forms, you will find completed templates and practical advice below each one.

In addition, you need to provide these supporting documents:

• Identity card for each person.
• Birth certificate for children under 15 years of age, or if the surname at birth is not included in the identity card.
• The form for ‘Information on the occupied dwelling (living space)’ – Information on the occupied dwelling (space).
• A rental contract, accommodation contract, social service contract, etc.
• A housing registration sheet, advance payments set by electricity and gas suppliers, invoices for electricity and gas and other fuels.

For dependent children who have completed compulsory education, and always from the school year beginning in the calendar year in which the child reaches the age of 15:

• ‘Certificate of study’ – Certificate of study, or
• ‘Health certificate issued by the Czech Labour Office or proving inability to carry out ongoing gainful employment due to a long-term health condition’ – Health certificate of a dependent child, or
• ‘Health certificate issued by the attending doctor attesting to the inability to systematically prepare for a future occupation or to carry out gainful employment due to illness or an accident’ – Certificate of inability of a dependent child to systematically prepare for a future occupation or to carry out gainful employment due to illness or an accident.

• For each person, the form for ‘Declaration of overall social and economic conditions’ – Declaration of overall social and economic conditions
• For each person, the form for ‘Proof of amount of monthly income’ for the three calendar months preceding the calendar month in which the application for the benefit is submitted – Proof of amount of monthly income
• For each person with a bank account, a bank account statement.
• Proof of receipt of a retirement pension (if this box has been ticked).
• Extraordinary benefits card for a particularly severely disabled person (‘ZTP/P card’ – the cardholder). 
• For each person who is a long-term illness, the form for ‘Health certificate issued by the attending physician’ – Health certificate issued by the attending physician
• Proof of the level of invalidity (if this box has been ticked).
• Confirmation of special dietary needs (if this box has been ticked) – Confirmation of special dietary needs.
• ‘Declaration of an established maintenance obligation and fulfilment thereof’ valid on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the application was submitted (if this box has been ticked) – Declaration of an established maintenance obligation and fulfilment thereof.
• For each person who has temporary invalidity for work, proof of such invalidity (invalidity certificate) or the form for ‘Health certificate issued by the attending physician’ – Health certificate issued by the attending physician.
• For each person receiving insurance benefits for pregnancy or maternity, proof of receipt of such benefits.
• For each dependent child whose maintenance is set by a court, the court decision setting out the maintenance terms.

Kde a jak službu řešit

Submit or send the application to the local branch of the Czech Labour Office according to the place of permanent residence (place of residence) of the person. The contact details of local branches can be found on the Czech Labour Office website in the Regional Branches section.

Doplňující informace

Jaký má služba benefit

You will receive a subsistence allowance to cover your basic living requirements.

Možnosti odvolání

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the subsistence allowance procedure, you can appeal against the ‘Decision’ within 15 days of its receipt. You can lodge an appeal at the regional branch of the Czech Labour Office which decided on the benefit. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will then decide on the appeal.