What is it ?
The voluntary social year in Germany (German Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr, abbr. FSJ) is a state-funded voluntary work program particularly for young adults. It can last between six and eighteen months and also be spent working abroad.
The idea behind this voluntary social year has its origin in the Protestant and Roman Catholic church by organizing a diaconical year. In 1964 the German parliament conducted a law, that became the basis of the platform, that supplies officially certified organizations and government institutions with volunteers.
Possible locations are numerous and are all social, charitable or of public utility.
- Services for disabled people
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Foster homes
- Preservation of historic monuments
- Ambulatory services
- Youth welfare services
- Church communities
- Emergency medical services
- Children homes
- Old people’s homes
Remuneration
The monthly job contribution in 2020 amounts to € 695,and includes the costs of pocket money and social security contributions, the costs of the pedagogical support of the FSJ assignments and the FSJ seminars, as well as our pro rata administrative costs. In addition, the emergency services provide the FSJ participants with free meals during the service period and either provide free accommodation or cover the travel costs or a subsidy to the travel costs.
Health insurance and social insurance during the FSJ
Volunteers, who serve a FSJ are compulsorily insured with the statutory social insurance. Especially important is the health insurance. Yet, a volunteer is also member of the pension insurance and the unemployment insurance.
This also applies to other voluntary services, named in § 32 section 4 number 2 character d EStG (Income Tax Act). If it is regarded as occupation according to the application of the Book of the Social Security Code, the members are insured in the different branches of social insurance; that is in pension insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance. The term occupation in § 7 section 1 of the Fourth Book of the Social Security Code (SGB IV) is interpreted widely by case law and thereby includes not only traditional employment relationships, but also voluntary services.
The statutory accidence insurance insures the participants of a FSJ or other voluntary services either as occupants or – in case of no occupation relationship – according to explicit legal regulations (§ 2 section 1 number 1, section 1a, section 3 number 2b and c Seventh Book of the Social Security Code (SGB VII)). The usually paid “pocket money” as well as free accommodation and meals are considered as wage for the social insurance.
Application for the voluntary social year (FSJ?) in Germany
The application for a voluntary social year is like an application for an apprenticeship. The following take place,
Application form
The supporting institutions of the FSJ often offer an application form. This can be requested via phone or internet at the responsible FSJ institution. Otherwise, a conventional letter of application is necessary.
Content of the application
The application for a FSJ place should include the following things:
Contact person
The application can be addressed to the place of assignment as well as to the supporting institution. Yet, the place of assignment is preferable. A contact person should be found, who is addressed personally in the letter, additionally to the general phrase “sehr geehrte Damen und Herren”.
Motivation
The personal reasons to serve a FSJ and to serve it at exactly the chosen place of assignment should become clear.
Preferred starting date
To allow for the time management of the place of assignment or the supporting institution, the preferred earliest or latest starting date should be given. If a time frame has to be considered, this should be given as well.
Special skills
Special skills or qualities that could be helpful to the actual place of assignment should be emphasized.
Curriculum vitae
The application should contain a curriculum vitae in table form.
Photograph
Like in many other cases, the first impression is important. Therefore a good impression should be given. This is supported by a professional photograph.
It seems to be obvious that also the external appearance of the FSJ application is important for the success. An appealing application folder therefore is indispensable.
SOCIAL YEAR IS FOR PERSONS AGED 21 AND ABOVE
