Overview
- The monthly Entlastungsbetrag stands at €131 in 2025 for people with an approved care level living at home, with eligibility spanning Pflegegrad 1 to 5.
- The benefit is not paid out as cash and must be spent via recognized providers, with options for direct billing and the ability to carry unused amounts into the following year until June 30.
- From Pflegegrad 2, up to 40% of unclaimed in-kind home care services can be converted to fund everyday support through the Umwandlungsanspruch, though this portion cannot be saved month to month.
- Federal Care Commissioner Katrin Staffler called for closer scrutiny of household-use of the allowance and suggested a stronger role for the medical assessment service, arguing the aim should be to maintain self-sufficiency.
- Patient groups condemned her remarks as insensitive and cautioned that expanded assessments could create a “bureaucracy monster” and reduce choice; in parallel, HNA reports government discussions about possibly scrapping Pflegegrad 1 remain contested by care providers.