The Federal Social Court (German: Bundessozialgericht, pronounced[bʊndəszoˈtsi̯aːlɡəˌʁɪçt]) is the German federal court of appeals for social security cases, mainly cases concerning the public health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance and occupational accident insurance schemes. Trial courts for these cases are the Sozialgerichte (Social Courts). Appeals against decisions of these courts are heard by the Landessozialgerichte (Superior State Social Courts), before the cases may wind up at the Bundessozialgericht.
The Bundessozialgericht is located in the city of Kassel.
History
The Federal Social Court was founded on 11 September 1954 and its first session was on 23 March 1955.[1]
Function
The Federal Social court hears appeals against decisions of the Landessozialgerichte (Superior State Social Courts) or in special circumstances against decisions of the Sozialgerichte.
Organisation
The Chambers of the Federal Social Court are called Senat. They each consist of 3 Judges and 2 lay judges.
The court consists of 14 Chambers.
1. Senat: public health insurance
2. Senat: occupational accident insurance
3. Senat: public health insurance, long-term care insurance, social insurance for artists
4. Senat: basic needs coverage for people looking for employment
5. Senat: statutory pension insurance
6. Senat: contracts with dentists and doctors
7. Senat: benefits for asylum seekers
8. Senat: Sozialhilfe
9. Senat: damages, disability, help for blind people
10. Senat: pensions for farmers, benefits regarding child care, legal protection against artificially long trials
11. Senat: unemployment benefits, and other matters involving the Bundesagentur für Arbeit
12. Senat: insurance membership and payments
13. Senat: statutory pension insurance
14. Senat: basic needs for people looking for employment, §6a+$6b Kindergeldgesetz[2]
