Administrative services A-Z

Form: Assistance for care begins as soon as the social welfare institution becomes aware that the requirements for the benefit are met. The application can then be informal or you can ask for forms, in particular from the social welfare office.

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

First of all, it is the task of the social long-term care insurance (SGB XI) to provide assistance to those in need of care who are dependent on solidarity support due to the severity of the need for care. However, the benefits of the social long-term care insurance are budgeted in terms of amount.

As a needy person who has health-related impairments of independence or abilities and therefore needs help from others, he or she may be entitled to assistance with care in accordance with the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII). The reason for the need for help may be physical, cognitive or psychological impairments or health-related stresses or demands that you cannot compensate for and cope with independently.

The determination of whether and to what extent there is a need for long-term care is usually carried out by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK). The MDK is commissioned by the responsible long-term care insurance fund when an application for social long-term care insurance benefits (SGB XI) is submitted. The MDK determines how independent a person still is according to a points system. The following applies: The more points the person receives, the higher the level of care (care levels 1 to 5) and the more need for care and support. The degree of independence or impairments is measured according to the extent to which someone can cope with his or her everyday life independently and to what extent he or she needs support. The social welfare institution is bound by the MDK's findings on the degree of care. The content and scope of the benefits is decided by the social welfare institution on its own responsibility.

Care assistance is also available to you if you are not insured in social long-term care insurance or are not entitled to social long-term care insurance benefits. If you do not have long-term care insurance and therefore do not have an expert opinion from the MDK and no classification in a degree of care by the long-term care insurance fund, the social welfare institution must determine the necessary nursing needs.

In principle, care in one's own home is to be given preference over inpatient care. If possible, home care should be carried out by relatives or other close persons (neighbourhood help). If this option is not considered, the necessary help is provided by professional nurses (nursing services and social stations).

The provision of services is also possible as part of a personal budget.

In the case of home care, you are entitled to basic care and domestic care as a benefit in kind for care assignments of outpatient services and social stations (home care assistance). Alternatively, it is possible to receive a care allowance if you can use it to provide basic care and domestic care yourself. A combination of money and benefits in kind is possible.

The scope of benefits of long-term care insurance also includes offers in the event of the caregiver's prevention (home care), day or night care (semi-inpatient care) and short-term care (temporary inpatient care).

You are entitled to care in fully inpatient care facilities if home or semi-inpatient care is not possible or is not possible due to the special nature of the individual case.

In addition, care aids and technical aids, subsidies for measures to improve the individual living environment as well as nursing courses for relatives and volunteer caregivers can be granted.

Family caregivers or caring neighbours and friends may be able to receive social security benefits in the form of contributions to the competent pension insurance institution.

The benefits of long-term care insurance are only covered by long-term care insurance up to certain maximum limits, depending on the type of benefit.

In the case of full inpatient care, the costs for accommodation and meals are not covered, as these must also be borne in the home environment.

If it is not possible for you to cover uncovered residual costs, social welfare benefits (SGB XII) are eligible in this respect.

However, social assistance as state assistance only applies if your income and assets - and, if applicable, your spouse or partner - are not sufficient. Dependents are only taken into account if their total annual income is more than EUR 100,000 (§ 94 (1a) SGB XII; §16 SGB IV, Common Provisions for Social Security).

• In principle, only those in need of care in care levels 2 to 5 receive the benefits of assistance for care.
• Due to the low severity of their impairments, persons in need of care at care level 1 are (only) entitled to care aids and measures to improve the living environment. In addition, a relief amount of currently a maximum of EUR 125.00 per month will be granted.
• There is no entitlement to assistance for care below care level 1.
• However, assistance for care is only provided if:
  • their own resources are not sufficient,
  • the person in need of care cannot bear the expenses for the care himself or herself from his or her income and assets, and
• does not receive the expenses from others, in particular long-term care insurance. This may be the case if the person in need of care is not insured in long-term care insurance or has not yet completed the previous insurance periods or if the benefits of long-term care insurance are not sufficient.

If available, the following documents must be submitted:

• Valid identity documents, confirmation of registration if applicable
• Power of attorney, caregiver card
• Notification of the long-term care insurance fund on the determination of the degree of care
• Decision on the determination of a degree of disability
• Proof of health and long-term care insurance
• Proof of income
• Statements of account
• Proof of assets, e.g. capital-forming insurance, savings accounts, real estate, valuables, motor vehicles
• Lease
• Information on non-separated spouses or civil partners
• Contract with the care facility

The scope of the required documents, in particular proof of income and assets, depends on the specifics of the individual case.
In addition, in the case of applicants with long-term care insurance, the medical report of the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK) as well as the decision of the long-term care insurance fund on the classification in a degree of care and the benefits from the long-term care insurance must be submitted.

In the case of "non-long-term care insured", medical reports or other medical documents should be attached; the assessment shall be initiated by the authority responsible for granting assistance for care.

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You can get help with care in the following ways:

• If you have long-term care insurance, you should first contact the responsible long-term care insurance fund to clarify which benefits you are entitled to and in what amount.
• Only if these benefits are not sufficient or if you are not entitled to any benefits at all, you can apply for help with care from the responsible social welfare agency if you are in need.
• In the case of persons not insured in the statutory long-term care insurance, the competent social welfare institution arranges for an assessment to determine the need for care and the necessary need for assistance.
• If the requirements are met and the income and financial circumstances make it necessary to grant assistance for care, you will receive a notice of approval.

Deadlines may have to be observed. Please contact the local social welfare agency.

in each case locally responsible social welfare institution

The supra-local social welfare institution guarantees comprehensive advice and support for the local social welfare agencies:

State Office for Social Affairs and Care of the State of Brandenburg (LASV)

• §§ 61 et seq. Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII)

On 01.01.2017, the new 5 levels of care and an extended concept of long-term care were introduced. These changes are primarily intended to ensure that elderly people with dementia receive the same care as those in need of physical care.

Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Integration and Consumer Protection