Care Relief Budget: A Change in Perspective
Employee Care Breaks: Changes Take Effect Starting 1st July
Home care is the norm for the whopping 5.7 million individuals in Germany who depend on care - a fact revealed by statistics from the Federal Statistical Office. This demanding role often takes a toll, both physically and mentally, leaving family caregivers needing some relief. This is where short-term and prevention care come into play, services provided by the long-term care insurance in Germany.
From July 1st, these services will no longer be separate entities. Instead, they are merging into a single budget, offering up to 3,539 euros per calendar year for both services combined. Verena Querling, a nursing law expert at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center, views this merger positively: "Having both services combined into a joint annual amount makes it much easier to utilize."
A Dual Approach to Relief
Both services cater to care recipients with a care level of 2 or higher. If you choose short-term care, the care recipient will temporarily reside in a nursing home, with up to 1,854 euros available per calendar year for a maximum of eight weeks. Alternatively, with prevention care, the care is handled by another person at the care recipient's home. This could be a professional care service or a family member or neighbor. Previously, this service offered up to 1,685 euros per calendar year for a maximum of six weeks.
Fun fact: Prevention care can also be claimed on an hourly basis, for instance, when caring relatives are planning a day off for a cinema visit or a hairdresser appointment.
However, keep in mind that prevention care funds cannot be used to cover regular absences, like scheduling a professional presence day replacement. In such cases, the option of placing the care recipient in a day care center remains, with funds available from the care insurance for this purpose (known as part-time day and night care).
The Upcoming Changes
The merger brings some adjustments, specifically affecting prevention care. The maximum duration per calendar year is increasing from six to eight weeks, aligning it with short-term care. Moreover, the pre-care period is being abolished. As of July 1st, a care claim can be made "immediately upon the presence of at least care level 2". Close relatives who provide prevention care on a non-professional basis will also see an increase in funds, with amounts potentially doubling from July 1 (e.g., up to double the care allowance for care level 3, currently 1,198 euros).
Did you know? During the use of respite or short-term care, the health insurance company continues to pay half of the care allowance.
Already Utilized Services?
If a part of the claim for respite and short-term care has been used before July 1, this amount will be subtracted from the total budget of 3,539 euros. The remaining amount remains usable within the current year.
Applying for Relief Services
Short-term and respite care applications must still be made by the care recipient, although family members can support the process. In the presence of a power of attorney, they can also submit the application. This can be done online with the respective health insurance company. The Consumer Center NRW advises submitting applications when planning the break, ensuring early clarity about funding.
While it's not always foreseeable, if caring relatives fall ill suddenly, costs can also be claimed retroactively. Keep all receipts for this purpose.
Planning for Relief
Finding a replacement may be challenging, even with financial support from the health insurance company. "Short-term care facilities and available replacement care providers at home can be scarce in many areas," writes Stiftung Warentest. To boost your chances, contact a care counseling center early to learn about local offerings. Activating your personal network, whether via social media, local bulletin boards, or school/kindergarten contacts, can also be beneficial.
- The upcoming changes in the Care Relief Budget will see the merger of short-term and prevention care into a single budget of up to 3,539 euros per year.
- With the merger, the maximum duration for prevention care will increase from six to eight weeks, aligning it with short-term care.
- The health insurance company continues to pay half of the care allowance during the use of respite or short-term care.
- For better chances of finding a replacement care provider, contact a care counseling center early and consider activating your personal network.
