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Applying for social compensation benefits as a relative, surviving dependant or close relative

As a relative, survivor or loved one of a person with health problems, you can receive rapid assistance. Rapid assistance includes therapeutic support and care/counseling in trauma outpatient clinics.

  • Basic information

    As a relative, survivor or loved one of a person whose health has been damaged by certain events, you can receive rapid assistance (counseling and support services in a trauma outpatient clinic) as well as special psychotherapeutic services.

    Surviving dependants can also receive benefits for participation in working life, compensation payments to surviving dependants, benefits for living expenses and benefits to support training.

    Relatives are spouses, children and parents of the injured person. Close relatives include siblings and persons in a cohabiting relationship. Surviving dependants are widows and widowers, orphans, parents and dependants.

    Coordination takes place with the relevant authority, which will inform you which benefits you may be eligible for.

    Your social compensation provider will decide whether and to what extent you will receive support.

    Requirements

    • You are a relative, surviving dependant or close relative of a person who has suffered damage to health in Germany or, under certain conditions, abroad (§ 15 SGB XIV) as a result of an injurious event.
    • They can prove the direct or substantial connection between the damaging event and the damage to health or death of the first injured party.
    • As a family member, surviving dependant or close relative, you yourself are physically or emotionally affected by the health impairment suffered by the first victim.
    • The application must be submitted to the competent institution at the place of residence.
      • Exception: In the case of vaccination injuries, responsibility is determined by the place of vaccination.

  • Procedure

    Submit the completed application for social compensation benefits to the competent authority (social compensation agency). The authority will examine your application and decide on the granting of the benefit and its scope. You will receive a notification of the decision and, if applicable, information on the benefits granted as well as other necessary evidence.

    You can apply for social compensation benefits in writing.

    • If necessary, you can make an appointment with your contact person at the pension authority or at your responsible office.
    • They will then discuss with you which documents are still missing and how the procedure will continue.
    • The contact person will provide you with further documents if necessary. If necessary, complete the documents, enclose the required evidence or supporting documents and send the documents back to your responsible office.
    • Your claims will be determined ex officio on the basis of the documents and further investigations by the authority. The authority will inform you of the result in the form of a decision, which is usually sent to you by letter.
    • If entitlements to benefits have been determined, you will receive an approval notice. If no entitlements are determined, you will receive a rejection notice.

  • Necessary Documents
    • Application under the new social compensation law

  • Competent Department

  • Forms

  • Fees / Costs

    gebührenfrei

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    There is no deadline.

    How long does it take to process

    The prerequisite for processing is that all mandatory information has been provided. The processing time varies depending on the competent authority and the individual case. It is not possible to give an exact time and it depends on the complexity of the individual case.

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

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This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct. 07.11.2025

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