Apply for Social Assistance for Non-Insured Individuals

Who can apply

You can apply for Social assistance (Kontanthjælp), if you do not have other ways to get an income, and if you have experienced a social event that requires you to seek assistance for your livelihood. For example, if you have lost your job.

Be aware, with certain types of permits to stay in Denmark, it is required that you can support yourself financially. If you have that kind of residence permit, receiving Social assistance can prevent you from getting your permit to stay extended. If you want to know if this is the case for you, please contact SIRI (EU-citizens) contact information here or Immigration Service (Udlændingestyrelsen) (non-EU-citizens) contact information here.

How to apply for social assistance

If you need to apply for social assistance, you have to show up in person at the Job Centre on your first day of unemployment. The address is Job Centre Frederiksberg, City Hall, Smallegade 1, 2nd Floor, 2000 Frederiksberg. 

Once you have registered as unemployed, you must complete a digital application for financial assistance within 3 working days here.
Make sure to attach all relevant documentation. When you follow the link, you will be guided through the process. You can also get an overview of what is required in this guide (In Danish).

Guide to automatically Translate a Website in Google Chrome:

When you visit a website in a language different from your browser’s default language, Google Chrome usually offers to translate it automatically.

Here is how it works:
- Open the website in Chrome.
- A small pop-up will appear at the top of the page asking if you want to translate it.
- Click “Translate” to view the page in English (or your preferred language).
- If the pop-up does not appear, right-click anywhere on the page and select “Translate to English.” 
To enable or adjust translation settings:
- Go to Settings > Languages
- Make sure “Offer to translate pages that aren’t in a language you read” is turned on.

If you do not have a computer, you can use one at the Job Centre in the City Hall.

You will receive a response to your application in your digital mailbox. Remember to check your Digital Post on borger.dk, e-Boks, or mit.dk for information from the Job Centre.

Once you have registered as unemployed and applied for Social assistance, you will be called in for an initial meeting within a week. The next steps will depend on your age, educational background, and residence status (e.g. type of residence permit).