Change in the integration subsidy

Employers can receive wage subsidies if they hire job seekers whose placement is difficult and support is necessary for their professional integration. The subsidies are intended to compensate for restrictions in work performance that may exist, for example, due to long-term unemployment, disability, low qualifications or age. The integration grants are so-called “optional benefits” to which there is no legal entitlement and the approval of which is decided by the local employment agency or the local job center in individual cases.

The amount and duration of the funding depend on what kind of underperformance can be expected from the job seeker, taking into account the restrictions on work performance and the respective requirements of the job in the individual case. The integration grant can amount to up to 50 percent of the eligible wages and can be paid for a maximum period of 12 months.

For employees who have reached the age of 55, the funding period can be up to 36 months. This provision of Section 89 Sentence 3 SGB III, which was originally limited to December 31, 2023, was extended to December 31, 2028, but at the same time the age limit was raised from 50 to 55 years.