In Germany, people with a care level of 2 or higher are eligible for financial assistance for a home care aide under certain conditions. Care levels are determined under the long-term care insurance system and are based on the individual’s level of care needs. A care level of 2 opens up the possibility of utilizing benefits from long-term care insurance to cover the costs of a home care aide and make daily life easier. These benefits can be provided in the form of a care allowance, in-kind care benefits, or other relief services.
The number of hours of home care that can be covered for Care Level 2 depends on various factors, which we explain in detail below. It is essential to contact the responsible long-term care insurance fund early on to clarify your individual entitlements and the correct requirements for receiving these benefits. The long-term care insurance fund can provide you with detailed information about the available benefits and the application process.
What is a home help?
A household helper is a dedicated individual who assists older adults or people in need of care with everyday household tasks. These include traditional activities such as cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, and grocery shopping. Under certain conditions, the costs for a home care aide may be covered by health or long-term care insurance, particularly if the person in question has a recognized level of care . The support provided by a home care aide enables people in need of care to live independently in their own homes for longer and, at the same time, relieves the burden on family caregivers.
For whom is domestic help useful?
A home care aide provides valuable support to older adults or people who, due to a need for care or physical limitations, have difficulty managing their household on their own. They take on everyday household tasks that are strenuous for seniors or people in need of care, or that they can no longer manage on their own. This enables them to live independently in their familiar surroundings for longer and maintain their quality of life.
However, the support provided by a home care aide not only eases the burden on the people in need of care themselves, but also on their family caregivers. They can focus on providing personal care while the home helper takes care of time-consuming household chores.
In addition, home help fits seamlessly into a comprehensive range of other support services that can make life easier for seniors and people in need of care.
Are you eligible for a home care aide if you have Care Level 2?
Yes, for Care Level 2 , you are generally entitled to home help. To cover the costs, you can use various benefits from the long-term care insurance fund, including the respite care allowance or the long-term care allowance.
What tasks does a home help take on?
A housekeeper can handle a wide range of household tasks—that is, provide assistance with household management—depending on the individual needs of the person or family using their services.
Some of the most common tasks that a housekeeper can perform include:
- Cleaning: Cleaning floors, surfaces, furniture, bathrooms, and kitchens, as well as general housekeeping, are among the basic duties of a housekeeper. This also includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and cleaning bathroom fixtures.
- Laundry: Doing laundry is one of the typical tasks of a housekeeper.
- Cooking meals: Many home helpers assist with meal preparation, including shopping, planning menus and cooking. This can be particularly helpful in ensuring that older people or those in need of care receive a balanced diet.
- Shopping: Housekeeping helpers can also assist with shopping groceries, household goods, and other necessary items.
- Organization: This includes organizing closets, shelves, and other areas of the home, as well as assisting with household organization, such as managing mail, appointments, and other organizational tasks.
- Accompaniment: Some home helps also offer accompaniment for visits to the doctor, walks or other activities outside the home.
It is important to understand that the specific duties of a housekeeper can vary greatly depending on individual needs and the agreements made. A housekeeper does not provide medical care. It is advisable to clearly define and communicate these duties in advance to ensure that the housekeeper provides the desired support.
How much home care assistance is covered for Care Level 2?
The amount of financial assistance for a home care aide for Care Level 2 varies depending on the type of service.
Here is an overview:
- Long-Term Care Benefits in Kind, Section 36 of SGB XI: If you are in Care Level 2, you are entitled to 761 euros per month. [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__36.html]
- Respite Care, Section 39 of SGB XI: Up to 3,539 euros per year are available for household help through the respite care program. [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__39.html]
- Relief Amount under Section 45b of SGB XI: You are entitled to up to 131 euros per month. [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__45b.html]
- Care Allowance under Section 37 of SGB XI: You receive 347 euros per month. [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__37.]
The number of hours of housekeeping assistance that can be covered for Care Level 2 depends on the person’s hourly rate and the type of service selected. There is no fixed statutory entitlement to a certain number of hours for Care Level 2. With average costs ranging from 28 to 50 euros per hour, the relief allowance is usually only sufficient for about 2 to 4 hours of household help per month, which is why it makes sense to plan a realistic budget. It is important to note that not all services can be used at the same time and that the respective provisions of the long-term care insurance fund must be observed.
What am I entitled to from care level 2?
The benefits financed by the care insurance fund change depending on the care level. With care level 2, you are entitled to the following.
- Long-term care benefits in kind: 796 euros per month [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__36.html]
- Respite Care: 1,685 euros per calendar year [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__39.html]
- Reimbursement amount: 131 euros per month [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__45b.html]
- Care allowance: 347 euros per month [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__37.]
- Disposable care supplies: 42€ per month [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__40.html]
- Measures to improve the living environment: one-time grant of up to €4,180 [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__40.html]
Good to know:
Here’s another example: Suppose you haven’t claimed any relief benefits by the end of May; in that case, the amount will be carried over to the next month. In this scenario, you’ve accumulated a total of 655 euros over five months (131 euros × 5 months). It’s important to know that unused amounts do not expire but are carried over to future months. These amounts remain available even beyond the calendar half-year. Specifically, this means that the relief benefits from 2026 would not expire until June 30, 2027. Furthermore, family caregivers and those in need of care should regularly check, in the event of a deterioration in health, whether an upgrade of the care level is possible. [Source: https://www.aok.de/pk/pflegegrad-beantragen/pflegegrad/]
How can I bill for a housekeeper through the in-kind long-term care benefits?
For people in need of care who have at least care level 2 and are cared for at home, monthly in-kind care benefits of 796 euros per month are available [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__36.html]. These benefits are primarily intended for home care agencies and other professional providers, and billing generally takes place directly between the provider and your long-term care insurance fund.
However, there is the option to use unused in-kind long-term care benefits flexibly. According to Section 45a of Book XI of the Social Code (SGB XI), you can use up to 40 percent of the unused amount for other approved services that help relieve the burden on family caregivers or promote your independence in daily life [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__45a.html]. This opens up the possibility of financing a housekeeper, even if you do not use the entire amount for professional care services.
Important: In order for the costs of a home care aide to be reimbursed, the aide must meet certain qualification criteria established by the respective state government. Therefore, be sure to check with your long-term care insurance provider to find out the exact requirements and what you should look for when searching for a suitable home care aide. Many home care agencies work with qualified home care aides who meet the necessary standards.
To be reimbursed for the cost of a home care aide, submit the relevant invoices to your long-term care insurance provider. Make sure the invoices contain all the required information and correspond to the services provided.
How can I bill for a housekeeper through respite care?
To ease the burden on family caregivers, respite care is available for individuals in need of care starting at Care Level 2. This funding is intended to allow caregivers to take time off, whether for a break or in case they themselves become ill.
The amount for respite care is independent of the care level and amounts to 1,685 euros per year. [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__39.html] This amount can also be used to hire a certified home care aide. If the annual amount for short-term care is not fully utilized, half of that amount is then available for the home care aide.
How can I claim the tax credit for a household helper?
Anyone receiving care at home who has a care level of at least 1 is eligible to receive the relief allowance of up to 131 euros per month to help relieve the burden on family caregivers or to promote independence in daily life. This relief allowance, pursuant to Section 45b of SGB XI, is specifically intended for in-home support services—that is, recognized services that provide assistance with daily living—and may also be used to fund a housekeeper. [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__45b.html]
Important: These benefits may only be used for approved services. This means that the home care provider must meet certain quality standards, which may vary by state; approval by the respective health insurance provider or an authorized provider is decisive.
If you wish to claim the tax deduction for a household helper, it is advisable to contact your long-term care insurance provider in advance. They can provide you with information on the qualifications the household helper must meet. Household helpers placed through a recognized long-term care agency generally meet the required standards. However, if you wish to hire a home helper you found privately, they should be working through a licensed agency.
To be reimbursed for the cost of a housekeeper, you must submit receipts that clearly show the services provided and the amount of the costs.
Settlement of domestic help via the care allowance
Starting at Care Level 2, individuals in need of care who are cared for at home receive a monthly “care allowance” from the long-term care insurance fund. This amount starts at 347 euros per month for Care Level 2 and increases with higher care levels, up to 990 euros for Care Level 5 [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__37.html]. Those eligible can use the care allowance flexibly to cover everyday needs. Typically, people in need of care use the allowance as a form of compensation for family members, neighbors, or friends who provide them with care.
However, individuals in need of care may also use the care allowance to hire a housekeeper if they wish (preferably after consulting with their family caregivers). In this case, the housekeeper is not even required to meet the quality criteria set by the long-term care insurance fund.
Use the conversion entitlement to finance household help from care level 2
Through the conversion of outpatient benefits in kind pursuant to Section 45a of Book XI of the Social Code [Source:https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__45a.html], you may be eligible to receive additional financial assistance if you have a care level between 2 and 5.
You have the option of using up to 40 percent of your budget for care benefits in kind to cover the costs of a home help. The exact amount of your care benefit in kind depends on your care level.
As with the relief amount, the home help must be recognized by the care insurance fund in accordance with the regulations of the respective federal state in order for you to be entitled to the conversion of outpatient benefits in kind.
How do I apply for a home care aide if I have care level 2?
Basically, you have several options for hiring a domestic helper. You can, for example, receive domestic help through your health insurance. You can also hire a domestic helper directly, which involves social security contributions. Another popular option is to hire a domestic helper from Poland. The costs vary depending on your choice. If you pay for the domestic helper yourself, you can deduct the expenses from your taxes.
If you need a home care aide because you require long-term care, we recommend that you apply for one through your long-term care insurance provider, provided that the care is provided in your own home or in assisted living. Here are the requirements for receiving the relief payment for a home care aide:
- They have at least care level 1 .
- Choose a certified provider: Your long-term care insurance provider can tell you which service providers are certified. If you’re unsure, it’s worth asking to avoid delays.
- You submit an application: Although this bureaucratic step is a hassle, it is necessary to determine your eligibility and receive benefits. If you already have a care level, a new care assessment is not required.
- Keep all receipts in a safe place: The relief amount is regarded as a reimbursement amount. You must therefore keep all receipts, submit them and then get your money back.
How do I find a housekeeper?
Finding a reliable home care aide for seniors can be a challenge. Home care services and specialized home care agencies are often in high demand and operating at full capacity in many regions. However, these professionals meet the qualification requirements set by public agencies.
The easiest way to find a suitable home care aide is through various agencies. Here at the Home Care Agency, we offer certified home care aides to make everyday life easier for you and your loved ones.
You can also ask among your friends and acquaintances if anyone is interested in such a role. In this case, the helper’s suitability is what matters most to you, rather than formal qualifications.
It may take some patience to find a suitable caregiver for seniors. Sometimes church congregations or other organizations can help you identify suitable candidates. Local newspapers are also a good place to place an ad to find a caregiver for seniors.
Entitlement to care aids for consumption
People with a care level designation are eligible to receive consumable care aids worth 42 euros per month [Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__40.html].
At Hilfe im Paket , you can easily choose from a wide variety of products and put together your own personalized package. Hilfe im Paket will handle the billing with your long-term care insurance provider.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Household Assistance for Care Level 2
Can I choose the housekeeper myself?
Yes, in principle, you can choose your own housekeeper, but she must meet the necessary qualifications.
What happens if the cost of household help exceeds my in-kind care benefits?
You must cover the additional costs yourself.
Does the minimum wage also apply to housekeepers?
Yes, the statutory minimum wage also applies to domestic workers.
How often can I use the housekeeping service each week?
The number of hours per week depends on your individual needs and financial situation.
The article was published on August 12, 2024, and updated on September 24, 2026.
