Bliss

Eligibility

My wife and I are both British citizens and over 80. We found your site very helpful - one question remains - who is eligible for all the help and assistance? Does the information apply to non German nationals living in Germany or is it only available to German nationals who have paid contributions to the state all their working lives?

We have lived here since 2001 and are privately insured because we had not being paying into the state system (krankencasse) and were therefore not entitled to the state benefits.

13 Comments

Reply (13)

Bliss

Help please

AnnaGapa_volunteer

Hi there! I am not 100% sure that I got you right, but I suppose you are asking about support for you from the state and here's what I know - the information on support and assistance usually refers to state benefits in Germany, which are tied either to citizenship or, more often, to whether someone has been contributing to the German social security system (e.g. statutory health insurance, pension insurance).

For non-German nationals like yourselves, who are privately insured and have not paid into the state system, many of the state benefits do not apply. However, as long-term legal residents in Germany, you may still be eligible for certain types of support (for example, social assistance under Sozialhilfe if income and assets are limited).

It’s best to check directly with your Sozialamt to see what applies in your situation.

Take care!

Bliss

Thank you!

Ida_volunteer

Hi @Bliss ! It is great to hear that you found the website helpful!

You said 'who is eligible for all the help and assistance?' - is there a specific help or assistance that you were looking for? Maybe if you share that, community managers and/or volunteers could guide you better.

Bliss

Services in general

Bliss

Help

Bliss

General help

Bliss

Thank you

My_Community_Managerin

Dear @Bliss thank you for your feedback - we are happy to hear that!

I agree with Anna, our great volunteer on this platform! Thank you for your support!

There might be the possibility to apply for a so-called basic social security. You can read more information on Handbook Germany: https://handbookgermany.de/en/retiring-in-germany#faq_1272

Please let me know if you need support finding your responsible local social welfare office or have further questions.

Bliss

Thank you all for your helpful replies - the quick answer seems to be not via the krankenkasse?

My_Community_Managerin

We are happy if we are able to support!

Honestly, I don't know how private insurances handles financial support. May I ask why do you think that Krankenkasse would support you? As far as I know, they would only take care of health care issues - do you need medical support?

Bliss

I thought that the krankenkasse supported old people with health problems. Maybe I got the name wrong. I meant the state funded system of support for carers, appliances etc - what is it called?

My_Community_Managerin

Dear @Bliss it is correct, that Krankenkasse supports people with any kind of health issues. Since you are privately insured, I would recommend contacting your health insurance company to check whether your contract includes coverage for support with care services.

If this is not the case, and you and your wife do not have sufficient financial means to cover these costs yourselves, you can apply for additional support at your local social welfare office (Sozialamt).

I am happy to support you find the one that is responsible for you. Therefore, please tell me the city you are currently living in.

A project by:

Funded by: