Who is eligible?
In Germany, anyone who can prove a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 50 percent is considered severely disabled (according to the German Social Security Code IX) and is entitled to a severely disabled person’s pass. The GdB is defined according to how the health impairments affect everyday life. It is graded in degrees of ten from 20 to 100. Individual impairments are only included if they alone account for a GdB of at least 10.
If you have permanent impairments in all areas of daily life for more than six months, you can apply for recognition of severe disability. This status brings with it a number of advantages – both financial and practical. For this reason, everyone in need of care should check whether they meet the requirements for severe disability and whether they can benefit from the card.
In Switzerland, there is no general disability pass or severely disabled person’s pass. Instead, various individual cards are available. For example, people with a significant walking disability can apply for a parking card. It is cheaper to travel on the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) if you have an ID card for disabled travelers, an ID card for the blind and visually impaired or a discounted GA travelcard.
Application
Since January 1, 2015, ID cards for the severely disabled have only been issued in credit card format in Germany. However, the old ID cards remain valid – they do not have to be exchanged.
The pension offices usually process applications for severe disabilities. Otherwise, there are contact persons at the local welfare offices, social welfare offices or municipal citizens’ offices. Pension offices and local authorities often provide information sheets and application forms to make the process easier. In many federal states, you can apply for a disability card online.
If necessary, the pension office will commission an expert opinion. Otherwise, the doctors at the pension office will assess you on the basis of the available medical reports. After evaluating all documents, they determine the degree of disability (GdB) and decide on recognition as a severely disabled person. The validity of the certificate is usually limited to five years and can be extended twice. If your disability does not change in the future, the pass can also be issued for an unlimited period.
In Austria, the disability pass has been available in credit card format since September 1, 2016. However, passports issued earlier remain valid.
The application for a disability pass must be submitted to a regional office of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The completed application must be accompanied by a photograph as well as notifications, findings and judgments or detailed medical reports (such as medical history, findings, etc.).
In Switzerland, parking permits are available from the relevant cantonal authorities in the event of a significant walking disability. You can download the relevant form from the website of the Association of Road Traffic Offices (https://strassenverkehrsaemter.ch). Further information on travel concessions for disabled travelers and how to apply can be found on the SBB website (https://www.sbb.ch).
In addition to the passport photo, the issuing authority, the validity period and the GdB, the severely disabled person’s ID card available in Germany also contains so-called markings. These provide information about the practical effects of the disability. People in need of care often find the markings G, aG, B, H, RF, Bl and Gl on their ID card.
” G: Significant walking disability: The G mark describes a significant impairment of mobility in road traffic. This means that the disabled person cannot walk the distances in their district – about two kilometers in half an hour. This only depends on the distance, not on local particularities such as uneven ground conditions on the paths around the house. Age-related walking restrictions are not taken into account. Internal ailments, seizures or orientation disorders also affect the ability to move.
” B: Authorized to be accompanied at all times: Those who would not be able to use public transportation without danger to themselves and others without constant accompaniment (the accompanying person does not have to be there all the time) receive the B mark.
” H: Helplessness: Anyone who requires permanent assistance from others for vital activities such as eating or drinking for at least six months receives the mark H. The requirements are similar to those for classification in care level 3 of long-term care insurance.
” RF: Exemption from or reduction of the obligation to pay broadcasting fees: People who are deafblind can be completely exempt from paying broadcasting fees. Less severely visually and hearing impaired people can have the broadcasting fee reduced to 5.83 euros. This also applies to people with disabilities whose degree of disability is permanently at least 80, who are also unable to participate in public events due to their condition and who have been awarded the “RF” mark.
” Blind: A person with this sign is blind, severely visually impaired or visually impaired due to a brain dysfunction (cerebral blindness).
” TBl: This sign applies to deaf-blind people and was introduced in 2016. It applies if there is a degree of disability of at least 70 due to hearing impairment and 100 due to visual impairment.
Advantages of a severely disabled person’s pass
If a severely disabled person’s ID card is issued, the patient and their relatives can take advantage of various benefits and assistance depending on the mark and degree of disability awarded. These include
According to the mark
” G: For severely disabled and deaf people (mark G and Gl), motor vehicle tax is reduced by 50 percent. Alternatively, they can purchase a token for a personal contribution which, in combination with the severely disabled person’s ID card, entitles them to free local public transport. This currently costs 72 euros per year (36 euros every six months). People on low incomes (especially recipients of basic income support), as well as blind and helpless people, are exempt from paying their own contribution. The tax reduction or exemption only applies to one vehicle (car, motorcycle or motorhome).
” aG: Only severely disabled persons with this entry may park in specially designated parking spaces. They are completely exempt from vehicle tax and can also receive a token for free local public transport.
” H: If the disabled person is the owner of a vehicle, they are completely exempt from vehicle tax. The costs of the vehicle can also be claimed as an extraordinary burden under tax law. In addition, free transportation on public transport is granted. Anyone who personally cares for a helpless person in their own or the disabled person’s home can either claim the actual costs or a lump sum for tax purposes.
” RF: These persons are exempt or partially exempt from the obligation to pay the broadcasting fee and receive a reduction in the basic fee for the telephone. The exemption must be applied for in writing to the GEZ. A reduction in telephone charges is possible by submitting an application to Deutsche Telekom.
” Blind: Blind people can apply for tax concessions, exemption from vehicle tax, free travel on local public transport, exemption from broadcasting fees and dog tax for their guide dog, reductions in postal and telephone charges. In Bavaria, you can also apply for a blind person’s allowance.
” Gl: Deaf people can claim free public transport or a halving of the vehicle tax on their own vehicle. They have the right to use sign language in administrative procedures.
General
According to Section 574 of the German Civil Code (BGB), tenants of an apartment have improved protection against dismissal if the dismissal would cause unreasonable hardship due to the severe disability.
Such a certificate has further advantages for people in employment: Any dismissal must be approved by the main welfare office of the local authority where you live. Severely disabled persons have five days more vacation and can retire at the age of 63.
Special case of dementia
Dementia patients in particular are constantly dependent on the support and guidance of others. In advanced stages of the disease, dementia is recognized as a severe disability in Germany. Additional physical illnesses are not a necessary requirement.
The application and assessment of severe disability status is carried out in the same way as for physical disabilities. However, dementia patients are only awarded the disability status under certain conditions:
” G: If impaired attention and orientation skills lead to an increased risk of accidents when crossing the road, for example.
” aG: Even the most severe orientation disorders in dementia patients are not sufficient to receive this sign. The basis for this sign is a purely physical disability.
” B: If the use of public transportation is only possible with assistance due to existing orientation disorders.
” H:If dementia patients already need constant help with daily activities such as dressing, personal hygiene, eating and mobility.
