Fill and sign Hauptantrag HA online
Main application for Grundsicherungsgeld, the basic income support for jobseekers that replaced Bürgergeld on 1 July 2026.
Hauptantrag HA at a glance
- Official name
- Antrag auf Leistungen zur Sicherung des Lebensunterhalts nach dem Zweiten Buch Sozialgesetzbuch (Hauptantrag)
- Issued by
- Jobcenter (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
- Country
- Germany
- Category
- Benefits and family
- Language
- German
- Who uses it
- Jobseekers and low-income households.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
The applicant signs and dates the paper form at questions 82 and 83, and a legal guardian or court-appointed carer signs at 84 and 85 where relevant. The Jobcenter does not say whether an electronically signed PDF is accepted; its own digital route is jobcenter.digital.
The Hauptantrag (HA) is the main paper application for Grundsicherungsgeld, Germany's basic income support for jobseekers, which replaced Bürgergeld from 1 July 2026. People who are able to work but cannot cover their living costs use it, together with attachments for their household. Open the official form from arbeitsagentur.de in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page, type into its fillable fields, add your signature and date, and download it. The PDF is handled in your browser and never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign Hauptantrag HA
Personal and nationality details (sections A and B)
Fill in your name, address, contact details and bank details in questions 1 to 23, and your nationality and residence status in questions 24 to 28.
Application date and current situation (sections C and D)
Question 29 asks from when you want Grundsicherungsgeld. Questions 32 to 50 cover your current situation, such as work, school or training and other benefits.
Past situation and insurance (sections E and F)
Describe previous employment, self-employment and care periods in questions 51 to 75, and your health and long-term care insurance in questions 76 to 78.
Household (section G)
Questions 79 to 81 ask whether you live alone and who lives with you. Depending on the answer you add attachments such as WEP for a partner or children aged 15 to 24, KI for children under 15 and HG for other relatives.
Collect the attachments (section H)
Add Anlage VM once for the household, Anlage EK for each person, Anlage EKS if anyone is self-employed, and bank statements for the last three months for every account in the household. Send copies, never originals.
Sign and submit (section I)
Sign and date the form at questions 82 and 83 and send it with the attachments to your local Jobcenter by post, or hand it in. You can also apply online at jobcenter.digital.
What you need before you start
- ID card, or passport with registration certificate or residence permit.
- Bank statements for the last three months for all accounts of everyone in the household.
- Proof of income, such as payslips, pension, child benefit, sick pay or maintenance.
- Your rental contract and the latest heating and service charge statement.
- Documents from your last job, such as the employer's work certificate.
The Jobcenter's application page lists these and says you can send documents later if you do not have them yet.
When does Grundsicherungsgeld start?
Benefits are only paid from the month you apply. Under § 37 SGB II, an application takes effect from the first day of the month in which you submit it, so apply as soon as you know you need support. The Jobcenter says an application can be made in any form, including online, in person, by phone or in writing.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out bank statements or sending statements with gaps.
- Forgetting the attachments for other people in the household.
- Sending original documents. The Jobcenter scans paper documents and destroys them after 8 weeks.
- Waiting until the end of the month to apply when you could apply now.
Hauptantrag HA: frequently asked questions
Has Bürgergeld been replaced?
Yes. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit states that Grundsicherungsgeld replaced Bürgergeld from 1 July 2026. Existing decisions stay valid and current recipients do not need to apply again.
Where do I send the Hauptantrag?
To the Jobcenter responsible for where you live, by post or in person. You can find it with the office search on arbeitsagentur.de, or apply online at jobcenter.digital.
From when is Grundsicherungsgeld paid?
From the first day of the month in which you apply, if you are entitled. No benefits are paid for months before your application.
Do I have to sign the Hauptantrag?
Yes. The applicant signs at questions 82 and 83. If you use the online application at jobcenter.digital, follow the steps there instead.
Can I sign the Hauptantrag electronically?
The Jobcenter does not say whether an e-signed PDF is accepted by email. Its official digital route is jobcenter.digital, and the paper form can be posted or handed in. You can add a signature for free with the Sign PDF tool if your Jobcenter accepts it.
Is BunnyDoc connected to the Jobcenter?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with the Jobcenter or the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. We link to the official form on arbeitsagentur.de and give you a free tool to fill and sign it in your browser.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with Jobcenter (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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