If an expert from the medical service determines that the insured person medical service of the statutory health insurance or Medicproof in the case of private insurance, the insured person is classified in care level 1.
This entails certain benefits, such as the relief amount, which can be used to pay for household-related service, such as household help .
This is because the majority of people who have a care level want to continue living in their own apartment or house without restrictions and do not want to have to move because of their care level. Find out more now about the requirements for care level 1, the services provided by a domestic helper, and the possibility of billing through your insurance provider using the relief amount!
Requirements for care level 1
The term care degree was introduced with the 2017 care reform. Previously, a person's need for care was divided into a care level.
In order to receive a care level, the person in need of care must first apply for it from the relevant care insurance fund. An assessor from the medical service (in the case of statutory insurance) or Medicproof (in the case of private insurance) will then examine the independence and ability to care for the person in need of care.
The definition of care level 1 according to the Federal Ministry of Health reads: "People are classified in care grade 1 if they only have relatively minor impairments to their independence or ability. They usually require relief in the household rather than regular care services."
Before the assessor arrives, it is a good idea to keep a so-called care diary to record when and how often help is needed and how much time it takes. The person in need of care can make these notes themselves, or a family member can do so on their behalf. Using a point system, it is then possible to determine whether a care level applies and, if so, which one. The higher the number of points awarded, the higher the care level. To qualify for Care Level 1, between 12.5 and 27 points must be recorded.
Care Level 1: These criteria are assessed
During the audit by the Medical Service (MDK) or Medicproof in the case of privately insured persons, the following criteria are assessed to determine whether a degree of care exists. The person in need of care is assessed using a points system. At least 12.5 points must be achieved in the assessment in order to receive a care level 1. These are the criteria of the medical services:
Mobility
To what extent is the patient's ability to move independently limited? Can he or she support their own weight, sit up on their own, and/or climb stairs?
Cognitive and communicative skills
Is the person able to orient themselves in terms of time and place? Can they recognize risks? Can they make informed decisions? Can they communicate their needs?
Behavioral and psychological problems
How often does aggressive or anxious behavior occur? Does the person damage objects? Unfortunately, does he or she have delusions of persecution?
Self-sufficiency
Can the person concerned wash, care for and feed themselves?
Dealing with the demands of illness or therapy
Does the applicant require assistance in meeting requirements related to illness or treatment?
Everyday life and social contacts
Can everyday life be planned independently? Can contacts be maintained independently?
Each of these modules is assessed using up to 16 criteria. The assessor decides how well the various criteria can be implemented by the person concerned.
If the decision is denied and the applicant is not assigned a care level following the assessment, an appeal may be filed against this decision within four weeks.
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Money and benefits for care level 1
Individuals with a care level of 1 have only a slight limitation in their independence and are therefore not eligible for benefits such as the care allowance. However, even with a care level of 1, they can still take advantage of certain support services provided by the long-term care insurance fund.
Insured persons from care level 1 are entitled to:
- €131 per month for care and support services (e.g., to pay for a housekeeper)
- 42 EUR per month for disposable medical supplies
- €25.50 per month for a home emergency call system
- A one-time payment of 4,180 EUR for home modifications
- 224 EUR per month in shared housing allowance
Assistance with daily household chores
A housekeeper is primarily intended for seniors who wish to continue living in their own homes despite physical or mental limitations associated with aging. In addition, a home care aide supports family members by handling everyday tasks.
As a rule, the cost of a home help is around €13 to €30 per hour. However, these costs can be covered by the relief amount if you have at least care level 1. This gives you an annual budget of €1,500 for domestic help. If you want to employ domestic help yourself, you should read our magazin "Domestic help and taxes" for more information. For most people with a claim, it is more worthwhile to pay via a care/health insurance fund than to employ your own domestic help on a permanent basis.
What is a home help?
A home care aide helps people manage household tasks in their home or apartment when they are no longer able to do so themselves. That is why home care aides are essential service providers for seniors, people in need of care, and people with disabilities.
Household helpers take care of daily household chores and provide significant relief for family caregivers and/or those in need of care.
What exactly does a home help do?
Domestic helpers take on various everyday tasks that the client cannot do themselves. They provide support with household-related activities. Care activities do not fall within the remit of a domestic helper.
The typical activities of a domestic and everyday helper include
- Purchases
- Washing and drying clothes
- Ironing laundry
- Cooking meals
- Plastering work
- Clean up
It is important to note that domestic helpers are only available for household-related services. They are not permitted to perform personal care services, such as nursing care or the administration of medication; these are tasks that must be carried out by a nursing service and performed by a licensed nurse.
Household-related services
The term household-related services refers to practical activities in the household that are carried out by a service provider or company.
These include:
- Daily household chores: cooking, cleaning, tidying up, mopping, doing laundry, and ironing
- Activities that occur outside the apartment or house: Cleaning work around the house, gardening
- Support activities: accompaniment on walks or to the doctor, errands such as shopping
The term does not include major repairs, medical care, nursing care or educational support.
Domestic help with care level 1
You can hire a housekeeper starting at Care Level 1 can be a great help in managing daily tasks such as doing laundry, cooking, or the many other activities that arise in everyday life.
Unfortunately, it is often the case that the relatives of those affected cannot be there around the clock to care for them.
Hiring a housekeeper can be a great help in your own home. The cost of a housekeeper ranges from approximately €13 to €30 per hour. The cost of hiring a housekeeper can be covered by the care and relief allowance. This means you have €131 per month available for this support. Billing is handled directly with your care insurance provider, as the invoice is sent to them.
Financing domestic help
In various situations, household help can be financed by health insurance or long-term care insurance.
If a person in the household has a chronic illness and therefore requires long-term care, the long-term care insurance fund will cover part of the costs for a home care aide. A person is considered to require long-term care as soon as they have been assigned a recognized care level.
If the need for domestic help arises, for example, due to a hospital stay or an acute illness, the health insurance provider will cover part of the costs.
Please note, however, that you cannot combine these two benefits. If you already have a home help that is partially or fully funded by long-term care insurance, you cannot receive any additional subsidies from the health insurance fund.
Financing a home help with care level 1
Starting at Care Level 1, the person in need of care is entitled to what is known as the relief allowance. This entitlement is set forth in Section 45b of SGB XI, which states: “Persons in need of care who receive care at home are entitled to a relief allowance of 131 EUR per month.”
Since domestic help is classified as a household-related service, it can be covered by the tax credit. It is also important to note that the tax credits do not expire immediately; instead, they can be carried over into the next calendar year. The tax credits expire on June 30 of the following year.
Financing by the health insurance company
Health insurance companies offer support to seriously ill or acutely ill patients in the form of transitional assistance following a hospital stay . A “domestic support worker” can be requested, and assistance can be applied for in such cases for up to four weeks. This support is usually granted to insured individuals if family members or other persons do not live in the same household and therefore cannot care for the patient or manage the household. Thus, the entitlement to domestic help through the health insurance provider exists only if the partner or other relatives cannot manage the household.
The amount of benefits provided by the health insurance company depends on who is hired. If a private individual outside the household is hired and thus employed as a domestic helper, the health insurance company pays an hourly rate of €10.25 for eight hours a day. This amounts to €82 per day and €2,296 over the maximum period of four weeks (28 days).
When a professional caregiver provides household assistance, billing is handled directly by the service provider under a direct contract. In this case, you are responsible for 10% of the costs, with a minimum of €5 and a maximum of €10 per day. For a four-week (28-day) period of care, this results in a copayment of €140 to €280.
How do I apply for the relief amount?
All individuals in need of care are eligible for this benefit without having to apply, provided they have at least Care Level 1 and receive care at home.
It is important to note that this is a reimbursement benefit. The reimbursement amount can therefore be compared to a credit balance that can be used to pay for certain services. The money is not transferred to an account; instead, service providers, such as home care aides, bill the long-term care insurance fund directly.
Many people hesitate to take advantage of the relief allowance for fear of losing their independence. Others are generally reluctant to accept assistance from the long-term care insurance fund. However, having a home care aide is an important way to reduce the risk of accidents and overexertion. Listen to your body’s signals so you can cope with the challenges of daily life.
Finding the right provider for domestic help
In order to use the relief amount for household-related services and thus for domestic help, you should choose providers that comply with state law. This differs between the individual federal states.
Information on approved service providers can be obtained nationwide from care support centers, care insurance funds or local authorities. In some federal states, there are also online databases that list approved providers.
It’s also a good idea to ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations. Home care agencies and outpatient care services are typically licensed under state law. However, there are other providers that may also be licensed. Your local care coordination center or your long-term care insurance provider can give you detailed information on this.
Apply for household help
The application for household help must be submitted in writing to the responsible health insurance fund.
It is important that the application be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate of medical necessity. This document specifies the diagnosis and the resulting limitations. You can obtain the forms for the certificate of medical necessity from your health insurance provider.
The application through health insurance is intended only for short-term care needs. If the care level is 2 or higher, long-term care insurance is responsible.
Conclusion: A home help for care level 1
It is possible to hire a home care assistant if you have a care level of 1. Thanks to the relief amount from the long-term care insurance fund, you have a monthly budget of 131 EUR . By sending the invoice directly to the long-term care insurance fund, billing is handled smoothly.
A home help can make the care situation easier for the person in need of care, as the problems of daily household chores are eliminated and the family members are also relieved. relatives can concentrate better on more important aspects.
A domestic helper can therefore be a great relief and can be financed by the nursing care insurance fund. Don't hesitate to accept benefits from the nursing care insurance fund in order to maintain a smooth daily routine.
Care levels 2–5: All information at a glance
- Care level 2: All information at a glance
- Care level 3: All information at a glance
- Care level 4: All information at a glance
- Care level 5: All information at a glance
Frequently Asked Questions About Household Assistance for Care Level 1
Are you eligible for home care assistance if you have a care level of 1?
Yes—and unfortunately, many people in this situation aren’t aware of this. Starting at care level 1, you’re entitled to a so-called “relief allowance” of 131 euros per month, which is covered by the long-term care insurance fund. This amount can be used specifically to hire a housekeeper.
Ms. M., for example, had just been assigned Care Level 1 and had no idea that she was entitled to assistance. Her daughter contacted us, and that very same week we worked together to determine what services were available. Now a housekeeper comes regularly, and daily life at home is back to normal.
Our tip: Submit your application to your long-term care insurance provider as soon as possible. We can help you determine exactly what benefits you are entitled to. It’s important to know that funds are approved retroactively from the date of application.
How many hours of home care are provided for Care Level 1?
There is no legally mandated minimum number of hours. The scope depends on the agreed-upon hourly rate and the monthly subsidy of 131 euros.
Specifically, this means that with an hourly rate of about 30–35 euros, you are entitled to approximately 3 to 4 hours of household help per month, fully funded by the long-term care insurance fund. Many of our clients use this time for essential tasks such as cleaning, grocery shopping, or doing laundry.
If you need more support, you can pay for additional private sessions or combine other services. We’ll work with you to determine what’s possible and appropriate—so you can make the most of your benefits.
Can I hire a housekeeper if I have a care level of 1?
Yes, that's possible, and there are two ways to do it.
First: You hire a certified home care worker through an accredited care service agency like ours. The costs are then deducted directly from your tax credit—it’s simple and hassle-free for you.
Second: You hire a private domestic helper on your own. In that case, you can still claim the tax credit—but certain requirements must be met (e.g., registration as a mini-job).
Mr. K., one of our clients, initially hired a friend to help with household chores—until he realized how time-consuming the payroll process was. Now we handle everything, and he doesn’t have to worry about a thing. Contact us—we’ll explain which option is simpler for you.
Can I claim the tax credit for my domestic helper (private)?
Yes, under certain conditions. The monthly relief amount of 131 euros may be used for approved care services. These include household helpers who are either placed through licensed providers or recognized as so-called self-employed individuals under state law.
A purely private caregiver—that is, someone from your circle of acquaintances who provides informal assistance—is generally not recognized by the long-term care insurance fund.
Ms. T. had asked her neighbor to help out once a week. When she tried to get reimbursed for the costs, the long-term care insurance fund denied her claim because the neighbor was not a certified caregiver. If she had used our home care service, she would have received reimbursement without any problems. We’d be happy to check whether your current arrangement is eligible for reimbursement or help you find a suitable alternative.
Where do I apply for home care assistance under Care Level 1?
You should submit your application to your local long-term care insurance fund—which is usually the long-term care department of your health insurance provider. There, you can apply for approval of the relief amount and then access services from an approved provider like us.
Many people find this process bureaucratic and don’t know where to start. That’s exactly why we’re here to help: We’ll explain what documents you need and assist you in communicating with your long-term care insurance provider.
Tell us about your situation: Together, we’ll determine what assistance you’re eligible for and help you access it quickly and easily.
Who pays for home care services under Care Level 1?
The long-term care insurance fund covers the monthly care allowance of 131 euros—which is used directly to pay for the home care aide. In most cases, we bill the long-term care insurance fund directly, so there is no hassle for you.
If the actual costs exceed the reimbursement amount, you will be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket. We’ll explain upfront exactly what to expect—no hidden costs, no surprises.
Our goal: We want you to know who is paying for what before our representative arrives at your door for the first time.
What is the tax credit amount for a household helper with care level 1?
The relief allowance amounts to 131 EUR per month and applies starting at care level 1. It is provided by the long-term care insurance fund and may be used exclusively for approved respite care services —which also includes domestic help.
Important to know: Unused amounts can be saved for up to 12 months and then used all at once. Many of our customers aren't aware of this and are effectively throwing away money.
We’ll work with you to determine the best way to use your relief funds—whether on a monthly basis or saved up for a period of intensive support.
How much does a home care aide cost per hour for care level 1?
The hourly rate for a housekeeper typically ranges from 25 to 40 euros, depending on the region and the provider. With the monthly subsidy of 131 euros, we can usually cover 3 to 4 hours per month in full.
What many people don't know: If you set aside the relief amount over several months, you can also use it to cover a more intensive period of care all at once—for example, after surgery or during a particularly stressful time.
We’d be happy to provide you with specific figures for your region—so you know exactly what to expect from the start.
How often does a home care aide visit for Care Level 1?
This depends entirely on your needs and the agreed-upon budget. With the monthly subsidy of 131 euros, you can cover about 3 to 4 hours of service. This often amounts to two visits per month for the most important household tasks.
If you need more support, you can book additional private sessions or use your accumulated care credit for multiple appointments in a single month.
We’ll work with you to determine how often our staff will visit—tailored to your daily routine. We’d be happy to provide specific figures for your region so you know what to expect right from the start.
How do I get a home care aide if I have a care level of 1?
The process is simpler than many people think. You can contact us by phone, through our online form, or in person at one of our many branches. During a brief conversation, we’ll work with you to determine what kind of support you need and which services your long-term care insurance covers. We’ll then arrange for suitable home care assistance, often as early as the next business day.
Mr. B. called us on Monday. By Tuesday, one of our staff members was already at his home. He had previously spent weeks struggling through forms; with us, it was just a conversation.
Tell us about your situation: We’ll see what we can do and bring the support directly to you.
