You can apply for a blindness allowance if you are blind or have a similarly severe visual impairment.

If you meet the eligibility requirements for the blindness allowance, the amount of the benefit depends on whether you live in a residential facility or in a special living arrangement (integration assistance).

If you live in Lower Saxony outside of a residential facility or special housing arrangement, the blindness allowance is 450 euros per month. Certain benefits, particularly those from long-term care insurance, are partially offset against the blindness allowance. In these cases, the aforementioned blindness allowance would be reduced.

If you live in a residential facility or a special living arrangement, the blindness allowance is 225 euros per month.

You are free to decide how to use the blindness allowance.

• An application must be submitted
• Disability ID card or determination notice with the “Bl” designation
• Documents regarding third-party benefits that are to be offset against the blindness allowance (e.g., long-term care insurance benefits).
• Certificate of a valid residence permit, provided you are neither a German citizen nor a citizen of an EU country

Blindness benefit is paid from the first of the month in which the application for blindness benefit is submitted at the earliest.