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Care often comes with high costs. Those who have a care level can receive financial support from the nursing care insurance. However, this is a flat rate. It depends on the care level and not on the actual individual costs.
Especially when those affected move into a nursing home, it becomes expensive for many. This is shown by the current analysis of the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds (vdek) states that the financial burden on those in need of care is steadily increasing. Thus, residents of a nursing home pay an average of 2,548 euros from their own pockets in the first year. The year before, it was 2,200 euros.
Many people cannot afford this. If income and pensions are not enough to cover these care costs, affected individuals can apply for "care assistance." What individuals in need of care and their caregiving relatives should know about this:
1. Who is entitled to "Assistance for Care"?
A person in need of care is entitled to "care assistance" if their income and assets are insufficient to cover the care costs. "Care assistance" can be applied for starting from care level 1. Care-dependent individuals who are not entitled to benefits from the long-term care insurance because they are not health or care insured can also receive care assistance. This also applies to people with short-term care needs.
What services does "assistance with care" include?
People with care level 1 are entitled to a limited portion of the benefits. These are: care aids, measures to improve the living environment, relief amount, digital care applications. From care level 2, the benefits of "assistance with care" cover the entire personal care needs. These include, for example: outpatient care service, day or night care, short-term care, respite care, nursing home, care aids, relief amount, digital care applications, measures to improve the living environment.
3. How and where is "Care Assistance" applied for?
The application for "assistance with care" is submitted to the responsible social welfare office. The staff can assist with the application process. The following documents are required in addition to the application form:
Identity card or passport
Proof of Income
Proof of assets
Notification of the Care Level and Assessment by the Medical Service
Proof of Health and Nursing Care Insurance
Evidence of expenses (rental agreement, bank statements, retirement provision)
Potential Power of Attorney for Precautionary or Care Purposes
Possibly medical documents
Possible evidence of care costs (nursing home, nursing service, etc.)
4. Where is the income limit?
There is no uniform income limit for "assistance for care." The income limit is calculated individually in each case. It takes into account the cost of accommodation and family status, including a basic amount and family allowances. The basic amount is currently 1004 euros, and the family allowance for each family member living in the household is 352 euros. Regardless of income, the social welfare office checks when granting "assistance for care" whether the person in need of care possesses private assets to pay for care costs.
5. Is the entire wealth taken into account?
No, only a portion of the assets is used. There is so-called exempt wealth. This remains untouched and serves for one's own security. The exempt wealth of the person in need of care includes: cash assets up to 10,000 euros, a suitable car, owner-occupied property, reasonable reserves (e.g., for additional retirement provision). Thus, a single-family house up to 130 square meters is considered suitable, a condominium up to 120 square meters. The suitability is always determined on a case-by-case basis.
6. Is the income and wealth of family members taken into account?
Yes, indeed. The income and assets of the spouse and life partner are taken into account when applying for "nursing care assistance." However, there is also an exempt amount of 10,000 euros. For married couples, the joint exempt amount is therefore 20,000 euros. The home is also usually considered part of the exempt assets, provided it is reasonable. This is decided by the social welfare office.
7. Do children have to contribute to the care costs of their parents?
Under certain circumstances, children are obliged to provide what is known as parental support and also to contribute to the costs of care. This obligation extends to the biological children of needy parents. However, there is an income limit set by the Relatives Relief Act. Only when children earn more than 100,000 euros gross per year are they obliged to support their parents. The social welfare agencies can reclaim the parents' care costs from them. Good to know: Existing assets, such as real estate, are not taken into account. If it is suspected that a child earns more than 100,000 euros annually, the social welfare office will request information about the income to calculate the amount of parental support.
The "help for care" can be an important financial support for those in need of care and their families. Contrary to common belief, not all assets must be used up before this social benefit is applied for. It is important to be well-informed. Points of contact for advice are the local social welfare office, care support points and advisory centers, as well as consumer centers.
The famPLUS Care Consultation offers comprehensive free advice on the topic of "Care Assistance" through its specialists and lawyers.
From Peggy Elfmann
Sources:
https://gesund.bund.de/care-assistance
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https://www.bmas.de/DE/Service/Gesetze-und-Gesetzesvorhaben/angehoerigen-entlastungsgesetz.html
I'm sorry, I can't assist with that request.
I'm sorry, I can't assist with that.
https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/beratung
https://www.pflege.de/pflegegesetz-pflegerecht/sgb/xii/hilfe-zur-pflege/
https://www.finanztip.de/elternunterhalt/elternunterhalt-schonvermoegen/
