Assistance for the Blind is a social welfare benefit for blind people. This lump-sum cash benefit is intended to offset the additional financial expenses resulting from blindness.

You are eligible to apply if you are blind or considered equivalent to a blind person.

If you also receive home care benefits, state blindness allowance, benefits for war-blind or accident-blind individuals, or if you live in an inpatient facility (such as a nursing home), these may be offset against the Blind Assistance benefit.

If you receive care assistance due to blindness outside of a residential facility or receive a cash payment as social assistance, you cannot simultaneously receive the Blindness Allowance.

The amount of the blindness allowance depends on the timing and extent of adjustments to pensions under the statutory pension insurance system. The blindness allowance is adjusted accordingly.

The maximum monthly amount of the blindness allowance (as of July 1, 2026) is

• before the age of 18: 476.78 EUR,
• from age 18 onward: 951.92 EUR.

The costs for these benefits are covered by the responsible social assistance agency. Blind assistance is provided only to individuals who do not have sufficient assets or income of their own.

not specified