Care assistance

Anyone who is dependent on care and cannot cover the costs from their own resources is entitled to "care assistance". A distinction is made between outpatient care and inpatient care. The entitlement to outpatient and inpatient care assistance benefits is based on the seventh chapter of the Twelfth Book of the German Social Code (SGB XII, §§ 61 ff.) and is dependent on assets and income.

Outpatient care assistance

Outpatient care assistance can be granted in the form of care allowance, home care assistance, care aids, day or night care and help with housekeeping.

Persons who require outpatient care for less than 6 months, for whom long-term care insurance benefits are not sufficient, for whom long-term care insurance benefits are not provided or who do not have long-term care insurance are entitled to outpatient care.

The amount of the benefit to be paid to the person in need of care depends on their personal needs, the level of care, the benefits provided by the long-term care insurance and the income and assets of the person in need of care.

People who do not have a care degree or care degree 1 can also apply for outpatient care benefits.

Inpatient care assistance

A distinction is made between short-term care, respite care and full inpatient care assistance. Full inpatient care often follows short-term or respite care. The costs associated with the care can be covered in full or in part. If assets are available but cannot be utilised directly, the assistance can be approved as a loan.

Inpatient care assistance can be granted to people aged 65 or over who have been assessed as having at least care degree 2 and who were living in an institution in the Saarpfalz district before being admitted. The application can be made by the person concerned themselves or their carer/authorised representative.