Help with care costs

What is help with care costs?

If the benefits of long-term care insurance are not sufficient or cannot be used, and the costs cannot be covered by your own income and assets, social assistance can provide support through help with care costs (Hilfe zur Pflege). The legal basis is §§ 61 ff. of the German Social Code, Book XII (SGB XII).

Who can receive help with care costs depends – as in long-term care insurance – on the need for care and the care level (Pflegegrad). From care level 2, home care, day or night care, short-term care and residential care in particular may be possible.

Long-term care insurance and help with care costs

As a rule, the benefits of long-term care insurance under SGB XI come first – for example care allowance (Pflegegeld), care services in kind (Pflegesachleistungen) or the relief amount (Entlastungsbetrag).

Help with care costs can step in additionally if the need for care goes beyond this. It can also be provided, on application, as part of a Personal Budget.

Care and participation – planned together

Many people have both a need for care and an entitlement to integration assistance. The two pursue different goals: care ensures that your needs are met, integration assistance makes participation possible.

We keep an eye on both and help you plan your support so that everything fits together – instead of you being sent back and forth between different offices.

How we support you

• Orientation: which benefits may be possible for you?
• Preparing applications and documents
• Care assistance in everyday life – also within a Personal Budget, if you wish
• Coordinating care and participation benefits
• Support throughout the approval process