The “start-up allowance” is a state benefit that can be paid as a supplement to unemployment benefit II payments when an unemployed person takes up self-employment or other employment subject to social insurance contributions. It provides unemployed persons with a financial incentive to overcome their need for assistance, through certain forms of private business start-ups. The declared aim of the allowance is not only to reduce the need for assistance on the part of the unemployed, but also to permanently eliminate it.