Apply for reimbursement of costs for interpreters, translators and communication aids as part of social compensation

If you have suffered damage to your health as a result of an injurious event that occurred in Germany and require translation services when applying for social compensation benefits, the necessary costs can be reimbursed.

Necessary expenses for interpreting and translation services can be granted as part of the application process and for ongoing treatment. Persons undergoing therapy in a trauma outpatient clinic as part of rapid assistance are also entitled to benefits.

Interpreting and translation services are provided for eligible persons or applicants who have not been habitually resident in Germany for more than five years, provided that no private or official support can be provided.

Persons who have their permanent residence abroad will be granted translation costs if required during the application process. The costs are borne by the social compensation provider.

The translation is usually a written translation of documents. Interpreting services involve the translation of oral language.

Examples

• Translation of documents when making an application
• Interpreting services for ongoing treatment

Please note that your social compensation provider will decide whether and to what extent you receive support.

Requirements

• You have suffered a health impairment in Germany due to a damaging event and can prove the direct or substantial connection.
• You have your habitual residence abroad or you have lived in Germany for less than five years and do not have sufficient knowledge of German.
• There is no other way to understand and translate the documents and forms in an application procedure, for example by having a German-speaking person assist you or by the authorities providing an appropriate translation.
• If you live in Germany and require interpreting services for the provision of services, e.g. for treatment in a trauma outpatient clinic or for an assessment, the necessary costs for this can also be reimbursed.
• The application must be submitted to the competent institution at your place of residence.
  
  • Exception: In the case of vaccination damage, responsibility depends on the place of vaccination.

What documents do I need?

• Proof of the harmful event, for example:
  
  • Evidence of the criminal proceedings (e.g. police reports, court decisions, court rulings, witness statements)
  • Evidence of the consequences of the injury
  • Proof of vaccination
• Medical evidence of the consequences of the injury and the treatment history, for example:
  
  • Hospital report
  • Therapy report
  • Medical certificates