The "Self-employed" team at the Jobcenter Dortmund supports start-ups and self-employed people whose income is not (yet) sufficient to cover their living expenses and who, in accordance with the provisions of Social Code II, meet the eligibility requirements for the citizen's allowance.

As a self-employed person, you should have these documents to hand if you wish to submit an application to the Jobcenter:

• Business registration
• Business premises rental contract (if available)
• Proof of personnel costs (e.g. through employment contracts or pay slips). (e.g. employment contracts or pay slips)
• Business management reports for the last three months
• In the case of a GmbH: shareholder agreements

The Jobcenter ensures the support of self-employed persons for as long as and to the extent that their income is insufficient by paying citizen's allowance. However, the Jobcenter does not compensate for any lack of income or losses that may arise as a result of self-employment.

Our common goal is to ensure that you can secure your entire livelihood in the long term through your self-employment.

If you are already a customer of the Jobcenter and are planning to become self-employed, please first get in touch with your contact person at the job center or in case management. They will then put you in touch with the self-employment team. The colleagues will provide you as a founder with comprehensive advice on questions such as:

• How long can I receive benefits from the Jobcenter?
• What additional benefits can I receive as a founder and what requirements do I have to meet for this?
• I have questions about understanding my own bookkeeping
• When am I self-employed (freelancer)?

In times of the corona pandemic, the self-employed team will contact you in writing or by telephone. You are also welcome to take a look at our FAQ for start-ups, which Team Selbstständige has compiled for you.

Under certain conditions, the job center can support your business start-up (e.g. with start-up money). The self-employed team will also provide you with all the information you need. It is important that you as a business founder submit your application for start-up money before you register a business or sign contracts for self-employment (e.g. commercial rental agreement).

To prepare for your self-employment, you can use the Checklist for the business concept from the Startercenter NRW.