Apply for assistance for the blind

Assistance for the Blind is a social welfare benefit for blind people. This lump-sum cash benefit is intended to offset the additional financial expenses resulting from blindness. 

You are eligible to apply if you are blind or considered equivalent to a blind person.

If you also receive home care benefits, state blindness allowance, benefits for those who became blind due to war or an accident, or if you live in an inpatient facility (such as a nursing home), these may be taken into account when determining your eligibility for Blindness Assistance.

If you receive care assistance due to blindness outside of a residential facility or receive a cash payment as social assistance, you cannot simultaneously receive Blindness Assistance.

The amount of the blindness allowance depends on the timing and extent of adjustments to pensions under the statutory pension insurance system. The blindness allowance is adjusted accordingly.

The maximum amount of the Blindness Allowance (as of July 1, 2026) is 

• before the age of 18: 476.38 EUR, or
• from age 18: 951.92 EUR 

per month. 

The costs for these benefits are covered by the responsible social assistance agency. Blind assistance is provided only to individuals who do not have sufficient assets or income of their own.

Requirements

You can receive assistance for the blind if the following conditions are met:

• Blindness (complete absence of sight) or not only temporary total binocular acuity of one fiftieth or less
• Proof of the severity of your visual impairment, for example through
  
  • Severely disabled person's pass with the mark "Bl" or
  • Assessment notice in accordance with the law on severely disabled persons,
  • ophthalmological findings or a medical certificate
• low income
• low assets
• In addition, certain other persons, such as the spouse, cannot reasonably be expected to cover the additional expenses caused by blindness from their own resources.