Which benefits can I as a caregiving family member claim?
June 2, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alwin Vollmann
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Emma Schröder and I am the primary caregiver for my severely ill husband. I have been taking care of him around the clock, managing his care, medication intake, and accompanying him to medical appointments. This situation is taking a toll on me both physically and mentally, and I am wondering what support services are available for caregivers like myself to help alleviate the burden.
Currently, I am not receiving any financial assistance for my caregiving responsibilities, and I am very concerned about my financial situation. As I am no longer able to work due to my caregiving duties, a significant portion of my income is missing. Additionally, I am noticing that my own needs and health are being neglected due to caring for my husband.
I would like to know if there are any benefits available to me as a caregiver, such as caregiving allowance, caregiving services, or respite care, that could help me better manage my caregiving responsibilities and allow myself some time off. How can I apply for these benefits, and what are the requirements that need to be met? Are there any other support options that I may not be aware of?
Thank you in advance for your assistance and guidance.
Sincerely,
Emma Schröder
Dear Mrs. Schröder,
I understand your situation and the burden you experience as the caregiver of your seriously ill husband. It is important that you take care of your own needs and do not neglect yourself. Therefore, I would like to provide you with some information on the benefits available to caregivers in the field of social law.
First of all, there are indeed various benefits that you, as a caregiver, may be entitled to in order to support you in your caregiving duties and provide you with relief. An important benefit is the care allowance, which is due to you as recognition for your caregiving duties. It is paid in different care levels and depends on the effort and severity of the need for care. In order to receive care allowance, you must submit an application to the long-term care insurance and undergo an assessment by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds.
Furthermore, you also have access to care services, which can be provided in the form of outpatient care services. These services can help you organize and partially delegate the care of your husband in order to relieve yourself. Respite care is also an important benefit available to you as a caregiver. It allows you to finance a replacement carer when you want to take a break yourself or are prevented from caring for other reasons.
To apply for these benefits, you must contact the relevant long-term care insurance and submit a corresponding application. It is important that you meet the requirements for the respective benefits, which depend, among other things, on the need for care of your husband. I am also available to personally assist you in my online consultation hours to clarify further questions and support you in the application process.
In addition to the mentioned benefits, there are also other support options that you may not have been aware of before. These include counseling services, support groups for caregivers, or financial assistance such as care support money. I recommend that you thoroughly inform yourself and take advantage of all the benefits available to you in order to relieve yourself and improve your caregiving situation.
I hope that this information is helpful to you and I am happy to assist you in clarifying your individual questions and supporting you in applying for benefits.
Best regards,
Alwin Vollmann
Social Law Attorney
