Social Welfare Authority
Social compensation - apply for monthly care allowance for widows and widowers in cases of long-term care due to injury.

Did you provide long-term care for your deceased spouse due to a recognized disability? You may be eligible for care compensation.

Detailed description

If you

Your wife or registered life partner who requires care due to injury, or
Your husband or registered life partner who requires care due to injury

If you have provided care for someone for many years, you can receive a care allowance in the form of a monthly payment. The care allowance is currently (as of 2025) a flat rate of €20.00 and is recalculated annually.

Information

Important notes

Prerequisites

You are the widow or widower of a person who requires care due to an injury.
You cared for the injured person during your marriage or registered civil partnership before January 1, 2024.
The total care period was more than 10 years.
You will not receive any care compensation under the Federal Supply Act (BVG).

Documents required

Proof of the injured party's need for care due to the recognized consequences of the injury
Proof of years of caregiving time

Please note

There are no special considerations.

Deadlines

There is no deadline.

Procedure & Fees

Procedure

You contact the relevant authority and explain your request. If necessary, you can seek individual advice from the relevant authority.
You submit your application to the relevant authority and attach the necessary documents.
The relevant authority will review your claim.
The responsible authority will decide on your application and inform you of the decision in writing.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case and usually takes several weeks.

Fees

The application process is free of charge.

Legal notes

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 147 of the Social Code, Book Fourteen (SGB XIV)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_14/__147.html

Address and contact information