What Is Respite Care?
Respite care is a benefit from care insurance that steps in when the primary caregiver is unavailable – whether due to vacation, illness, or a much-needed break. During this time, a substitute takes over the care, and the care insurance fund pays. Applying for respite care is simpler than many think and offers family caregivers important relief.
Who Is Eligible for Respite Care?
The requirements are:
- The care recipient has at least care level 2
- The caregiver has been providing home care for at least six months
- The caregiver is temporarily unavailable (vacation, illness, appointment, recovery)
Important: Hourly respite care is also possible – not just for full days or weeks.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Per calendar year, 1,612 euros are available for respite care. Additionally, you can reallocate up to 806 euros from the unused short-term care budget. This results in a total budget of up to 2,418 euros per year.
For hourly respite care (under 8 hours per day), the care allowance is not reduced. For full-day respite care, it is reduced by 50% for the duration.
Who May Provide Respite Care?
Substitute care can be provided by various people:
- Relatives up to the 2nd degree or household members: Reimbursement is limited to 1.5 times the care allowance. Travel costs and lost earnings are reimbursed additionally.
- Other private individuals (neighbors, friends): Full reimbursement up to 1,612 euros
- Professional care services: Full reimbursement up to 1,612 euros (plus reallocated short-term care)
How to Apply for Respite Care
- Informal application: Write a brief letter or use your care insurance fund's form. Include: time period, reason for absence, who will provide substitute care.
- Before or after is possible: You can submit the application before or after the respite care takes place.
- Submit receipts: Attach receipts or invoices from the substitute caregiver.
- Reimbursement: The care insurance fund reimburses documented costs up to the maximum amount.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Letting the budget expire: The respite care budget expires at the end of the year. Use it actively.
- Only thinking of long breaks: Even individual hours count – for example, for a doctor's appointment or exercise.
- Forgetting to reallocate: You must actively apply for the 806 euros from short-term care. Check whether you need short-term care in the current year before reallocating.
Organizing Respite Care with mendracare
When a substitute takes over care, they need all the important information: medication plan, daily routine, special considerations. With mendracare, you can invite the substitute person to the care team. They immediately have access to all relevant data and can get up to speed quickly – giving everyone involved peace of mind.
