Organic Food & Welfare: Who Pays for Your Diet?

Does the Jobcenter have to pay for my special diet?

Have you ever had to change your diet because your body simply said "No"? Whether it’s gluten, lactose, or other intolerances, suddenly we're standing in the supermarket aisle and the special products are often noticeably more expensive. For people receiving welfare benefits, this financial burden is a serious issue. That raises the big question: Does the Jobcenter have to cover these additional costs as a medical nutritional surcharge?

High Hurdles for Your Subsidy

The short answer is: It's complicated! The courts don't make it easy for us. To even have a chance, your special diet must be deemed medically necessary by a doctor. It’s not enough that you simply want to eat "healthier" or "better." By law, your diet must significantly deviate from the so-called standard full diet—the normal, balanced mixed diet. Recognized diets include, for example, lactose-free or gluten-free diets, and specific regimens for dialysis or intestinal diseases. This is crucial to understand!

Why "Organic Only" Is Not Enough

An intriguing recent ruling from the Berlin-Brandenburg State Social Court brought this to light. A claimant wanted to purchase food only in organic quality because he couldn't tolerate conventional additives. He saw this as a medical necessity and demanded a subsidy from the Jobcenter. But the court disagreed: A purely organic diet does not deviate enough from the standard full diet. Why? Because you can also find many unprocessed products without additives in the conventional food sector that serve health. The proof that only organic food would genuinely help was considered too weak.

What Does This Mean for You?

The ruling sends a clear signal: The bar for an extra allowance is high. If you want additional support, you must undeniably prove to the Jobcenter that your diet is medically unavoidable and more expensive because it clearly deviates from the norm. The doctor's certificate is your most important tool, but it must crystal-clearly state what specific deviation is required.

photo by Gemma C via Unplash