What the care grade means
Care grades 1 to 5 describe how far independence in everyday life is impaired, from minor limitations at grade 1 to the most severe at grade 5 (as of July 2026). The grade determines which benefits are open to you: a monthly care allowance, in-kind care from a home care service, further support. Our page Costs and care insurance explains the funding.
Above all: nothing happens without an application. The care fund (Pflegekasse) only acts once you or an authorised person get in touch, and benefits start no earlier than the month you apply. Acting early pays off.
Step 1: Submit the application
The application goes to the care fund of the person needing care; it sits with their health insurance fund, and the phone number is on the insurance card. A call or short informal letter is enough: “I hereby apply for long-term care insurance benefits.” The care fund then sends the actual forms.
Write down the date of that first contact: it counts as the application date and determines from when benefits can be granted.
Step 2: The assessment at home
After the application, the care fund commissions an assessment, for statutorily insured people usually by the Medical Service (Medizinischer Dienst) (as of July 2026). The assessor comes to where everyday life happens: home. What counts is not the illness itself but independence in daily life: mobility, self-care, structuring the day.
How to prepare for the visit
The visit usually takes about an hour. Show everyday life as it really is; politely polished independence paints a false picture. These preparations help:
Checklist for the assessment
- A list of all medications with dosages
- Current doctor's reports, discharge letters and diagnoses
- An overview of aids already in use (walker, shower stool, glasses, hearing aid)
- A care diary: for one to two weeks, note where help is needed every day
- Names and contact details of the treating doctors
- A trusted person who joins the visit and honestly fills in the picture
Step 3: The decision and what follows
The care fund sends its decision in writing, stating the assigned care grade and the associated benefits. If you disagree, you can file an objection; the deadline is stated in the letter itself. If the condition worsens later, you can apply for a higher grade at any time.