Number of care allowance recipients continues to rise

Regarding the distribution of those in need of care by level, in April, 29.1 percent were in level 1, 20.5 percent in level 2, 18.8 percent in level 3, 14.5 percent in level 4, 11.2 percent in level 5, 4.2 percent in level 6, and 1.7 percent in level 7, i.e., those with the highest care needs. Classification into the individual care levels is based on the number of hours needed.

Of the 500,554 people receiving long-term care allowance, the clear majority were once again female. 306,541 women (61.2 percent) and 194,013 men (38.8 percent) were among those affected in May.

Demographic change and increasing life expectancy

Korinna Schumann, head of the Ministry of Social Affairs, told APA that demographic change and rising life expectancy are also reflected in the growing number of eligible people and the trend in applications for long-term care benefits. After a brief pandemic-related stagnation, the number of eligible people has increased again in recent years.

"It is all the more positive that we have succeeded in securing the care allowance, including the annual valorization by the adjustment factor, within the budget," Schumann said, pointing out once again that the care allowance remained unaffected by the austerity measures. Regarding the nursing staff shortage, reference was made to the minister's statements made in May, according to which good working conditions are necessary. To create these, sufficient staff are needed. The compatibility of family and career is also important.

Number of care allowance recipients (since its introduction in 1993)*: 1/1993 - 230,344 1/1994 - 233,952 1/1995 - 242,097 1/1996 - 246,013 1/1997 - 258,391 1/1998 - 257,261 1/1999 - 261,221 1/2000 - 266,052 1/2001 - 271,457 1/2002 - 276,411 1/2003 - 282,220 1/2004 - 283,293 1/2005 - 296,210 1/2006 - 311,357 1/2007 - 322,907 1/2008 - 330,184 1/2009 - 345,543 1/2010 - 355,338 1/2011 - 359,521 1/2012 - 431,914 1/2013 - 432,248 1/2014 - 451,461** 1/2015 - 457,821 1/2016 - 452,828 1/2017 - 456,103 1/2018 - 458,636 1/2019 - 454,952 1/2020 - 469,328 1/2021 - 461,668 1/2022 - 466,792 1/2023 - 469,998 1/2024 - 475,474 05/2024 - 489,713 05/2025 - 500,554 * 1) until 1/2011 only federal nursing care allowance recipients (plus up to 70,000 state nursing care allowance recipients per year, standardized from 2012) **2) Since 2014, all those people in need of care are also counted who are cared for in hospitals and whose care allowance is therefore In addition, the survey was changed from a cut-off date to a monthly converted Source: Ministry of Social Affairs Care allowance and hourly requirement: Euro: Care requirement (at least): Level 1: 200.80 65 hours Level 2: 370.30 95 hours Level 3: 577.00 120 hours Level 4: 865.10 160 hours Level 5: 1,175.20 180 hours * Level 6: 1,641.10 180 hours * Level 7: 2,156.60 180 hours * *) In addition, the following special requirements are necessary: ​​Level 5: An exceptional level of care. Level 6: During day and night, unplannable Care measures or the permanent presence of a carer necessary. Stage 7: Targeted movements of the arms and legs are not possible or immediately to be respected condition.