People in need of care who have a care level of 1 to 5 may be entitled to relief benefits. Who gets them?
Hamburg – Many people in need of care in Germany do not want to go to a nursing home. They are often cared for on an outpatient basis by relatives or nursing services. In this case, there may be an entitlement to relief benefits. That's how much money people in need of care can receive.
Who receives relief benefits for outpatient care?
Anyone who comes to a nursing home in old age because they can no longer take care of themselves must expect some costs. Seniors who, on the other hand, are cared for on an outpatient basis in their own house or apartment can apply for relief benefits. These services are intended to provide additional support to those in need of care and their relatives. For example, it is possible that home care is provided by trained caregivers for a few hours a month.
People in need of care with a care level between 1 and 5 can receive relief benefits in the amount of 125 euros. © Westend61/Imago (symbolic image)
The aim is to relieve the burden on family caregivers and recharge their batteries. Especially for people suffering from dementia, these care services can work wonders, as creative activities are often offered that preserve one's own abilities. The childcare services can include help in the household, an exercise offer, walks or participation in singing and handicraft groups. Every person in need of care with a care level of 1 to 5 who lives at home is entitled to the relief benefits.
In this way, the 125 euros for care can be received
As the consumer advice center writes, there is basically a claim to relief benefits in the amount of 125 euros. If these are not sufficient for care services, up to 40 percent of the amount for care benefits in kind can be used instead for care and relief services. According to Section 36 SGB XI, care benefits in kind include professional home care assistance that provides physical care, care and household services. Care benefits in kind can amount to up to 2095 euros, depending on the level of care.
Among other things, the 125 euro relief benefits can be used for this purpose:
- once a week help with household chores or shopping
- once a week visit to a singing and handicraft group at a welfare association
- once a week visit to an exercise program
- once a week walk with a volunteer
- if necessary, accompaniment to the doctor, to authorities and to concerts by volunteers
For this so-called conversion claim, an application to the long-term care insurance fund is necessary. There is no need to submit a separate application for the relief benefits. If a need for care is determined and the person is cared for from home, the claim exists. However, it is important to keep the relevant invoices. The offers must first be paid by yourself, the long-term care insurance reimburses the amount after submitting the invoices. There is a sample letter from the consumer advice centre for this purpose.
