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Supervision: Financial support from 2015

Anyone who suddenly has to look after the care of a family member, is now entitled to ten days of care allowance.
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care law

More than 800, 000 people in Germany care for their relatives at home. From 2015, the Federal Government guarantees financial security for the care.

They are the silent helpers who are finally being helped a little: As of 1 January 2015, there are new rules for working people who look after relatives at home. What that means in detail, explains our expert.

1. New rules

What is the purpose of the law?

More than a third of the more than 2.6 million people in need of care in Germany are cared for by relatives at home. According to a survey, 79 percent of them suffer from poor work-life balance. The federal government wants to change this with the reform and guarantee financial security for the duration of the care .

What changes by the law?

Suddenly a stroke - and father is dependent on care . Already, every employee is entitled to up to ten days special leave for acute cases. He did not get any money for that yet! That changes from 1.1.2015. Then, family members receive care allowance over these ten days : up to 90% of the net salary - comparable to the children's sickness benefit.

Do I have to apply to the boss?

No, it's enough if you inform the employer immediately - as in the case of illness. However, he can demand proof of the need for care. That's what the doctor turns off.

What if the ten days are not enough?

If the family member takes care of tedious cases himself, he or she can leave the job for six months . Salary he does not receive in this time. Or he works up to 24 months part-time - with a minimum working time of 15 hours per week. There is no subsidy for the care . For this, the federal government grants an interest-free loan. Also for the palliative support of terminally ill relatives is up to three months entitled to nursing time.

Can my boss dismiss me because of the nursing time?

No, the dismissal protection remains. Employees who reduce their working hours while caring for their dependents continue to be covered by social insurance. Pension entitlements remain.

2. Loan

What is the loan?

Loans are available in the amount of 50 euros up to a maximum of half of the missing net salary . It is paid in monthly installments. It can be requested directly from the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society (www.bafza.de). The repayment takes place after the nursing time in installments.

Where does the money come from?

The federal government has already released 100 million euros for funding from the long-term care funds. As of January 2015, contributions will also be increased by 0.3 to 2.35 percent (2.6 percent for childless people). In addition to the care, relatives can use the time-out to do administrative work or to organize a home space.

3. For whom it applies

What do I do if I am affected?

Clarify if the law reaches out to you. The family also includes stepparents, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law as well as life-partner-like communities who live together for at least one year. Take the break of ten days to manage the family crisis. In addition, it depends on the financial circumstances, whether an employee can afford a break for several months without pay. And he must be careful not to exceed the total time-out of 24 months.

Is there a catch on the law?

Yes. Employees can only take advantage of the six- and 24-month long-term care leave if at least 16 employees (including part-timers and trainees) are employed in their company. That's not the case for over 20 percent. Patient advocates criticize the law. "As long as the funding for a several-month break remains with nurses alone, the concept is far from reality, " says nursing expert Brysch. After all, the ten-day care leave in acute cases must grant even small businesses.

What tricks are there?

The entitlement to care leave and family care time exists only once per case of care . But: Siblings can individually take the family care period, for example, when their father gets sick. For how many relatives maintain a relative, is not regulated in the law.

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