Care assistance

If you meet the eligibility requirements for Care assistance and have been assigned a care level of 2 or higher, the social services office may, for example, pay for one or more of the following benefits:

• Care allowance for home care
• Outpatient care provided by care services
• Partial-inpatient day or night care
• Short-term care
• Respite care
• Care aids
• Residence in a nursing home
• Pocket money

Important:Home care always takes precedence over inpatient care. You can receive services in a nursing home if care at home is not possible or is not an option due to your individual circumstances.

When you apply for care assistance, the social services office determines the amount of assistance based on your care needs, assets, and income. There are legally established income limits for this purpose. The income limit refers to the individual amount that should be available to you—and, if applicable, to your relatives living in the same household—each month to cover living expenses. The income of first-degree relatives (such as children) is also taken into account if they have a high income.

Income Limit for Outpatient Care

To determine the individual income limit for outpatient care, the following factors are taken into account:

• Base amount (currently 1,126 euros as of January 2024)
• A family supplement (currently 395 euros as of January 2024), if applicable, for each family member living in the household
• Costs for rent (excluding electricity), heating, and hot water
• If applicable, health and long-term care insurance premiums for those with voluntary or private insurance
• Personal or joint assets, if applicable 

If your individual income or the household’s combined income is below the income threshold, the social services office will pay the full amount of Care assistance. If the income exceeds the income threshold, only a portion of the costs will be covered. 

Important: So-called “exempt assets” are not included in the calculation. These include, for example, a reasonably priced home you live in—which is intended to be occupied by family members even after your death—a reasonably priced vehicle, a cash amount of 10,000 euros each for you and your spouse or partner, as well as adequate provisions for your own funeral and grave maintenance.

Income Limit for Inpatient Care

If you and your partner both live in a long-term care facility, your total income and assets will be used to cover the facility’s costs. You will retain a monthly allowance, a monthly clothing allowance, and the exempt assets. This also applies to single individuals.

If, in a cohabiting relationship, only one partner lives in a nursing home, the person living at home must contribute to the nursing home costs. However, they must be left with enough money to continue covering their living expenses. The social services office determines the exact amount on a case-by-case basis.

You should submit your application for care assistance to your local social services office. They will assess whether you need financial assistance and are in need of long-term care.

To apply, you will need:

• An assessment from your long-term care insurance provider confirming your need for care and your care level. If you are not insured, the social services office will arrange for a care assessment itself.
• Proof of income and assets

Important: It’s a good idea to submit your application as soon as possible if you don’t have enough money to cover your care costs. The social services office will only begin making payments from the date it becomes aware of your situation. If you have already incurred debts, these will not be covered—with the exception of rent arrears.

Individuals in care levels 2 through 5 may receive care assistance if they meet the eligibility requirements. Individuals in care level 1 may be entitled to assistive devices and measures to improve their living environment. In addition, they receive a relief allowance of up to 125 euros per month.

The application is free of charge.

Once you have submitted your application to the social services office, they will review whether you meet the eligibility requirements for Care assistance. Sometimes, your case worker may request additional documentation.

You will receive a decision by mail informing you whether your application has been approved or denied. You may appeal this decision.

The amount of care assistance depends on the income and assets of the person in need of care and the person with whom the person in need of care lives as a partner or who is obligated to provide support.

An application for care assistance will be denied if one or more requirements are not met. This is the case, for example, if you cannot prove that you are in need of care or if you have sufficient income. It’s best to contact your case worker directly to find out the reasons for the rejection of your application.

If the income and assets of parents in need of care are insufficient to cover the cost of care, adult children may be required by social services to provide financial support—but only if their gross annual income exceeds 100,000 euros.

The social services agency can only require parents of children who need care to pay child support if their combined gross income exceeds 100,000 euros per year.

As a general rule, with regard to social assistance—and thus also to Care assistance—only individuals who are first-degree relatives of the applicant, that is, parents or children, are obligated to provide support. Grandparents, grandchildren, and children-in-law are not required to contribute to the applicant’s support with their income or assets.