In need of care as an asylum seeker - What now? Your rights and options

Are you an asylum seeker living in Germany and can no longer look after yourself properly due to illness, an accident or your age? Then you may need help with washing, dressing, eating or medication.

There is support for this in Germany. You are not alone!

What does "in need of care" mean?

In need of care means:

You can for at least 6 months no longer look after yourself alone - for example:

• you can no longer walk or stand up on your own

• you need help showering or getting dressed

• you can't prepare your own food

• you often forget things or need help with medication

Then you have Possibly entitled to care services in Germany.

 

Am I insured as an asylum seeker?

If you are an asylum seeker statutory health insurance (e.g. via the social welfare office or via a job), then you are automatically insured for long-term care.

You must do not submit an extra application.

 If you don't know if you are insuredask the social services or the immigration office at your accommodation. They will be able to help you.

 

What should I do if I or a family member needs care?

1. Get help!

   → Go to your Health insurance or ask the shelter or a counseling center for help.

   → There you can get a free Care advice - often with translation.

2. Submit a care application

   → You (or another person on your behalf) submit an application to your Long-term care insurance (this is part of your health insurance).

   → This can be done by letter, e-mail or telephone.

3. Appointment with experts

   → The care insurance fund sends a person to your home.

   → This person checks how much help you need (e.g. for washing, walking, speaking, everyday life).

   → You will then receive a so-called Degree of care (from 1 to 5). The higher the care level, the more help you get.

 

What forms of care are there?

There are various options depending on the level of care and living situation:

1. Outpatient care (at home)

A care service comes to your home and helps you with washing, dressing, eating or medication.

A family member can also care for you - there is support for this.

2. Partial inpatient care (during the day or at night)

You go to a care facility during the day, where you are looked after, and sleep at home.

This is good if your family has to work during the day.

3. Full inpatient care (nursing home)

You live permanently in a care home if you can no longer be cared for at home.

 Important: Nursing homes are expensive. The care insurance fund pays part of it - you or the social welfare office have to pay the rest (if you don't have any money of your own).

 

Who pays for the care?

• The Long-term care insurance (part of the health insurance fund) pays part of the costs.

• If you don't have any money, the Social welfare office help.

• Some people conclude a Private supplementary insurance but this is only possible beforenot just when you need care.

 

What is checked during the assessment?

When an assessor comes to see you, he or she will check whether you need help in these areas:

• Movement (e.g. walking, standing up)

• Thinking and speaking

• Personal hygiene (e.g. washing, dressing)

• Take medication

• Contact with other people

• Planning and managing everyday life

 

Who can help me with the application?

• Social workers in your accommodation

• Migration advice centers (e.g. from Caritas, AWO, Diakonie)

• Care advisors from the health insurance companies

• Volunteers or associations for refugees