ZRBG How to Apply

Note: These payments ARE NOT administered by the Claims Conference.

Download application forms:

Claim Form in English/German for Former Ghetto Workers Residing Outside Germany – ZRBG 100En

Claim Form in English/German for Former Ghetto Workers Residing Outside Germany (Short Version) – ZRBG 110En

Claim Form in English/German for Widow/Widower of Former Ghetto Workers Residing Outside Germany – ZRBG 500En

Claim Form in English/German for Widow/Widower of Former Ghetto Workers Residing Outside Germany (Short Version) – ZRBG 510En

Official Information on the Ghetto Pension (ZRBG) program:

Additional information in English
Additional information in French
Additional information in German
Additional Information in Hebrew
Additional information in Russian
Additional information in Czech
Additional information in Slovakian
Additional information in Hungarian

ZRBG Contact Information:

Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund
Fehrbelliner Platz 5,
10707 Berlin-Wilmersdorf
Germany

Tel. + 49 (0)30-868880 (from abroad)
Tel: 0800 -100048070 (domestic calls)
Fax: +49/(0)30/ 865 27240
E-Mail: drv@drv-bund.de
Website: www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de

Below is an updated list of some of the regional agencies relevant to Holocaust survivors. Note that foreign pensions are administered according to country of current residence:

DRV Bund
Tel. + 49 (0)30-20247780
Competent authority for all states
Telephone calls can be answered also in the
English, Polish and Russian languages
DRV Rheinland
Tel. 08000-100048013 (domestic calls )
Tel. + 49 (0)211-937-0 (from abroad)
Competent authority especially for persons
residing in Belgium, Chile and Israel
DRV Nord
Tel. + 49 (0)40-5300-0
Competent authority especially for persons
residing in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Great
Britain, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway,
Sweden and the USA
DRV Rheinland-Pfalz
Tel. + 49 (0)6232-17-2459
Competent authority especially for persons
residing in France and Luxembourg
DRV Bayern Süd
Tel. + 49 (0)871-81-2154
Competent authority especially for persons
residing in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech
Republic
DRV Mitteldeutschland
Tel. + 49 (0)361-482-4000
Competent authority especially for persons
residing in Hungary
DRV Knappschaft-Bahn-See
Tel. + 49 (0)234-304-23001
Competent authority for persons from all
states

Ghetto Pension Payments: Protection in Israel

Regulation 17(13) of the Income Supplement Regulations (amendment 5764-2003) excludes ZRBG payments from calculations relating to eligibility for Income Supplement benefits from the National Insurance Institutes.

Article 224(d) (3) (b) of the National Insurance Law (amendment 129, 5771-2011) excludes ZRBG payments from calculations relating to eligibility for Nursing Hours from the National Insurance Institutes. That recent amendment has been approved by the Israeli Knesset on August 3, 2011.

Regulation 4.8- 3.1.2(2)e of the Social Workers Regulations (amendment 5769-2009) partially excludes every Holocaust-related pension, including under the ZRBG, from calculations relating to participatory payment for needy elderly homes under the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Ghetto Pension Payments: Protection in USA

All Holocaust-related compensation and restitution payments in the United States are protected by 1994 federal legislation that excludes them from calculations relating to eligibility for federal benefits. Holocaust Payments and Federal Benefits

Ghetto Pension Payments: Protection in Germany

The German Government has announced that payments under the special Social Security law ZRBG for Holocaust Survivors (“Ghetto Pension”) are not subject to taxation in Germany. This exemption applies to monthly payments as well as to lump-sum retroactive payments. No tax declarations need to be submitted in Germany for these payments. The German Embassies in relevant countries have been informed. Countries with a bilateral tax agreement with Germany are also being alerted.

The Claims Conference is not involved in the administration, implementation or processing of applications for the Ghetto Pension or the Ghetto Fund. The information presented herein is intended for information purposes only and solely as a general guide. The information is not intended as legal advice. It is a summary of specific issues and does not represent a definitive or complete statement of the programs and policies of the agencies or governments mentioned. The information may not address the special needs, interests and circumstances of individual recipients. Individual situations differ and recipients are urged to seek individual advice. Individuals seeking specific information on a program are urged to contact the relevant program or to consult their social service agency or help center representative. While the Claims Conference provides information on a general basis to various help and assistance centers, each help and assistance center is solely responsible for the advice provided by it. To the best of our knowledge the information is correct as of the date of this document and this information may change subsequent to the said date – February 5, 2012