Families with a child with a disability are entitled to various financial benefits. Here is an overview of the most important ones – with current amounts for 2025/2026.
You receive care allowance (Pflegegeld) if you care for your child yourself (§ 37 SGB XI). It is tax-free and available from care level 2.
| Care level | Monthly |
|---|---|
| PG 2 | 347 € |
| PG 3 | 599 € |
| PG 4 | 800 € |
| PG 5 | 990 € |
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Most children with Down syndrome receive care level 3 or higher.
Since July 2025, there is the Combined Annual Budget: you can freely split the budget between respite care and short-term care – for everyone from care level 2.
The Combined Annual Budget is 3,539 € per calendar year.
What changed since 01.07.2025?
- ✓ Free allocation of the total budget between respite and short-term care
- ✓ No more waiting period – available immediately from care level 2
- ✓ Respite care: up to 8 weeks per year (previously 6 weeks)
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You can also use respite care on an hourly basis – e.g. when grandparents or friends look after your child while you have an appointment.
The relief allowance (Entlastungsbetrag) is 131 € per month and is available for all care levels – including care level 1. It is earmarked for care services, everyday support, or day care.
Unused amounts can be carried over until June 30 of the following year. So you don't lose anything if you don't use the amount right away.
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Keep all invoices and receipts – the care insurance fund only reimburses with proof. Ask in advance which services are recognized.
There are several tax benefits for families with a child with a disability. The most important at a glance:
Disability tax allowance
At GdB 100, the annual flat-rate allowance is 7,400 €. It is claimed in the income tax return.
Care flat-rate allowance
With care level 4 or 5, you can additionally claim a care flat-rate allowance of 1,800 € per year.
Child benefit beyond 18
Child benefit (Kindergeld) can also be paid beyond the age of 18 if the child cannot support themselves due to their disability. The application goes to the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse).
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The disability tax allowance can also be transferred to the parents if the child does not use it themselves. Talk to your tax advisor or tax assistance association about this.
Integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe) under SGB IX is the central benefit for people with disabilities. It includes, among other things:
- • Early intervention (Frühförderung)
- • School support aide / inclusion assistant
- • Daily living assistance
- • Housing support
Wichtig
Integration assistance is independent of income and assets for children and young people. The parents' income is not relevant.
Where to apply?
The responsible authority is the social welfare office or the integration assistance department of your city or district. In Ulm, this is the Social Services Department of the City of Ulm .
| Benefit | PG 1 | PG 2 | PG 3 | PG 4 | PG 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Care allowance | – | 347 € | 599 € | 800 € | 990 € |
| Benefits in kind | – | 796 € | 1.497 € | 1.859 € | 2.299 € |
| Day/night care | – | 721 € | 1.357 € | 1.685 € | 2.085 € |
| Relief allowance | 131 € | 131 € | 131 € | 131 € | 131 € |
| Combined Annual Budget | – | 3.539 €/J | 3.539 €/J | 3.539 €/J | 3.539 €/J |
As of: 2025/2026. Next adjustment earliest 01.01.2028.