Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) - Apply for exemption or reduction

• For the exemption: You receive state social benefits www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen-und-buerger/informatione • Bürgergeld [basic income benefit], Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt [assistance with subsistence] under SGB XII, Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung [basic security in old age and in case of reduced earning capacity] • BAföG [federal student financial aid], Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe [vocational training assistance] • Benefits under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz [Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act] • Blindenhilfe [assistance for the blind] • Pflegegeld/Teilhabegeld [care allowance/participation allowance], Hilfe zur Pflege [assistance with care] under SGB XII, Pflegezulagen [care allowances] under the Lastenausgleichsgesetz [Equalization of Burdens Act] • You are deafblind or receive Blindenhilfe [assistance for the blind] • For the reduction: You have a disability, are blind or hearing-impaired, and have been granted the Merkzeichen-RF (mark RF) www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen-und-buerger/informatione The Merkzeichen-RF (mark RF) is shown on your Schwerbehindertenausweis (severe disability card). • You can apply for an exemption from the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) as a special hardship case if you do not receive social benefits because your income exceeds the applicable need threshold (Bedarfsgrenze) by less than EUR 18.36.

• Application for exemption from the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) or for a reduction of the Rundfunkbeitrag Send the application with the supporting documents by post to the Beitragsservice (contribution service) of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. • Schwerbehindertenausweis (severely disabled person's ID) with the "RF" mark (certified copy) If you appear in person at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office), the original will be certified free of charge. • Proof of receipt of social benefits (as a copy) • for example, a copy of your BAföG (student financial aid) notice • If you receive social benefits, an appointment in person at the Bürgeramt is not necessary. Send your fully completed application and the certificate directly to the Beitragsservice • In hardship cases: rejection notice from the social benefits provider If the income limit is exceeded only slightly, enclose the rejection notice from the social benefits provider as evidence of a special hardship case.

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• Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag (RdFunkBeitrStVtr BE, Interstate Treaty on the Broadcasting Fee) § 4 gesetze.berlin.de/bsbe/document/jlr-RdFunkBeitrStVtrBEV2P4

• Information materials on the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) (ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice) www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen-und-buerger/informatione

Send your application to ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice, 50656 Köln. Service phone: 01806 999 555 10 Service phone hours: Mon - Fri 7:00 - 19:00 Uhr • 20 Cent per call from all German networks Alternatively, you can use this service at any Bürgeramt (citizens' office).