What services am I entitled to as a caregiver?
February 19, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Albrecht Dietrich
Dear lawyer for social law,
my name is Xenia Hering and I have been taking care of my elderly mother for some time now. She requires daily assistance with personal hygiene, eating, and mobility. So far, I have been providing all this support without financial assistance, as it is important to me to help my mother. However, I am starting to realize that this burden is pushing me to my limits and I am wondering what benefits I am entitled to as a caregiver.
Currently, I work as a freelancer and therefore cannot be with my mother full-time. This results in financial losses for me, as I am unable to take on as many projects. I am worried that I am putting my own livelihood at risk by investing so much time and energy into caring for my mother.
Therefore, my question to you is: What benefits am I entitled to as a caregiver? Are there any financial support options available so that I can continue to provide adequate care for my mother without jeopardizing my professional livelihood? How can I improve my situation and what steps do I need to take to do so?
I appreciate your expert advice and thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Xenia Hering
Dear Mrs. Hering,
Thank you for your inquiry and your trust in my expertise as a lawyer specializing in social law. It is understandable that caring for a family member can be a significant burden, both emotionally and financially. In your case, it is important that as a caregiver, you also receive the support that you are entitled to.
As a caregiver, you generally have a right to various benefits and support options. First and foremost, you should check if your mother has a care level. Depending on the care level, different benefits from the long-term care insurance are available. These may include care allowance, outpatient care services, day care, or short-term care.
Furthermore, as a caregiver, you can take advantage of relief services in the form of respite care, short-term care, or caregiving services. These are intended to help you, as a caregiver, to rest and continue your professional activities.
Since you are self-employed, it is important that you also take advantage of financial support options to secure your livelihood. For example, you can apply for care support money if you need to restrict your professional activities due to caring for your mother. You may also be entitled to special leave or time off work to take care of your mother.
To improve your situation and receive the appropriate benefits, I recommend that you contact the care insurance fund and apply for benefits. There, you can also receive care counseling to learn about all the support options available.
I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you all the best in your caregiving situation. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am happy to help.
Sincerely,
Albrecht Dietrich
Lawyer specializing in social law
