When elderly parents are no longer able to pay for their own nursing care, their adult children are often required to pick up the bill. The Cabinet has now adopted a bill that stipulates that family members will only be required to do so if their gross annual income is higher than 100,000 euros. This ceiling is already in place for benefits pursuant to minimum needs-based provision in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity.

Caring for family members often puts an enormous strain on parents and children, who bear a huge responsibility, explained Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Hubertus Heil. "We now want to eliminate the fear of having to meet unforeseeable financial demands."

All children and parents with an annual income of up to 100,000 euros, who are liable to pay maintenance for recipients of social welfare benefits are to benefit from the new regulations. This will mean that families caring for a child with a disability will also benefit. The new bill thus actually goes beyond the provisions of the coalition agreement. Hubertus Heil announced that the government is now ending years of unequal treatment. "It is long overdue," he declared.

People are also to be exempted on the same scale from part-payments when their relatives are entitled to what is termed ‘integration assistance’ on grounds of a disability – this could, for instance, be financial assistance to convert a family home such that it is barrier free or assistance to cover the costs of a sign language interpreter.

Improvements for people with disabilities

For people with disabilities, the new bill includes other importance improvements. A budget for training is planned, so that people with disabilities receive support that will help them undertake regular vocational training. To date assistance has only been provided for vocational training undertaken in a special workshop for people with disabilities, although there are no provisions for obtaining recognised vocational qualifications there. 

In addition, funding for supplementary independent participation consultancy is to be topped up, and the time limits on such consultancy are to be removed. These services help and advise people with disabilities and their families on matters relating to rehabilitation and participation – irrespective of the body organising or providing services.