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Emergency

Care person ill or on holiday? Respite care helps

Even someone caring for a relative sometimes needs a break, or falls ill themselves. For this time the care insurance covers substitute care: respite care. This way the provision stays secured.

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Your chances of getting your money back

If the private care person is temporarily prevented (for example holiday, illness, a break), the care insurance pays for substitute care (respite care, § 39 SGB XI), from care level 2. The substitute care can be provided by a care service or by other people.
Respite care and short-term care have, since the care reform, been combined into a joint annual budget (relief budget). The current amount and the conditions (for example a prior care period) are best asked about at your care insurer.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the conditions

    Care level (at least 2) and home care by a private care person?

  2. 2

    2. Organize a substitute

    Who takes over the care during the absence (care service, relatives, acquaintances)?

  3. 3

    3. Application/billing

    Apply for the respite care at the care insurer, or submit the costs for reimbursement.

  4. 4

    4. Keep the budget in view

    Ask about the current annual amount and the combination with short-term care.

Frequently asked questions

What is respite care?

Substitute care that the care insurance pays for when the private care person is temporarily prevented, for example by holiday, illness or a break (§ 39 SGB XI). Entitlement exists from care level 2. The substitute care can be taken over by a care service or by other people (for example relatives, neighbors).

How much does the care insurance pay for respite care?

There is an annual amount for it which, since the care reform, is combined with short-term care into a joint budget. The exact amount is adjusted; ask about the current amount and the conditions (for example a preceding care period) at your care insurer or a care support point.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.