Dispute over blind allowance: 98-year-old has to provide proof of life!

Dispute over blind allowance: 98-year-old has to provide proof of life!

In a current case that illustrates the bureaucratic requirements when dealing with blind people's allowance, the focus is on Klaus Damm and his 98-year-old mother Hannelore Damm. Hannelore Damm suffers from age-related macular degeneration and receives 167 euros in blind benefit per month. This money was applied for in September 2024 on the advice of her ophthalmologist.

After approval, Klaus Damm received a letter informing him of the obligation to report changes. When his mother was classified in care level 3, Damm immediately informed the Hesse State Welfare Association (LWV) about this change. However, in May 2025 he received a questionnaire from the LWV requesting information on vision, level of care and eye operations.

Bureaucratic hurdles and obligation to provide proof

In addition, Klaus Damm was asked to provide confirmation of his mother's life from an authority or bank. Despite releasing the residents' registration office from confidentiality, the LWV did not accept this approach. The reason for the LWV's strict requirements are attempts at fraud in the past, in which the deaths of those entitled to blind benefit were not reported. In 2023 and 2024, there were reclaims amounting to 313,000 euros and 273,000 euros across Hesse that can be traced back to such cases.

The blind benefit in Hesse is a flat-rate financial benefit to support severely visually impaired and blind people. It is granted to manage areas of life that sighted people can organize independently. The amount varies depending on the visual impairment: for complete blindness it is 757 euros, for deaf-blindness it is 1,514 euros and for severely visually impaired people, including Hannelore Damm, it is 227 euros, with care allowance being taken into account.

Regulations on blind allowances and how they are taken into account

The classification for receiving blind benefit is based on remaining vision. Blind people have a maximum of 2% residual vision, while severely visually impaired people may not have more than 5% residual vision. Under certain conditions, blind people in Hesse can receive additional assistance for the blind, which is a social assistance benefit and depends on income and assets.

Recipients of blindness benefit must be careful when receiving additional care services: the financial benefits are reduced proportionately if home care services are received from the care fund. The care allowance from the professional association is fully credited. On the other hand, the care allowance according to Section 64a SGB When moving to institutions or special forms of living, the blindness benefit is also reduced if benefits are received from another public provider at the same time.

This case impressively shows how challenging the bureaucratic requirements can be for relatives of people with visual impairments. In view of the large sums that have been claimed back due to inconsistencies in the past, it is understandable that the LWV is introducing strict documentation requirements.

For further information about the regulations regarding blind benefit in Hesse, visit the official website State Welfare Association of Hesse.

Read more about the case of Klaus and Hannelore Damm on Mercury.