National allowance for the blind

Blind people with their usual place of residence in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate are entitled to a state allowance for the blind in accordance with the State Allowance for the Blind Act (LBlindenGG) to compensate for the additional expenses caused by their blindness. A person is blind if they have no sight at all. Persons whose visual acuity in the better eye is no more than one fiftieth (2 percent) or who have a non-temporary visual impairment of equal severity are treated as blind persons.

The allowance for the blind is granted on application and is payable irrespective of income and assets. The amount of the allowance for the blind is generally € 410.00 per month; persons who have not yet reached the age of 18 are entitled to half of this amount, i.e. € 205.00 per month.

Benefits in accordance with the Eleventh Book of the German Social Code (SGB XI - Social Care Insurance) are offset against the allowance for the blind: 46% of the care allowance of care grade 2 for care grade 2 and 33% of the care allowance of care grade 3 for care grade 3, 4 or 5. The same applies to corresponding benefits from private care insurance. Care benefits of care grade 1 are not offset against the allowance for the blind. In the case of non-temporary stays (= longer than 4 weeks) in inpatient facilities (e.g. hospital, rehabilitation facility, home), the entitlement to state allowance for the blind is suspended or does not apply.