Helplessness allowance
The helplessness allowance is intended for insured persons who, due to a health impairment, require the help of third parties or practical assistance to perform everyday tasks or maintain social contacts.
Anyone who requires assistance from others to perform everyday tasks such as getting dressed, getting out of bed, sitting down, eating, personal hygiene, etc. is considered ‘helpless’ under IV regulations and is eligible to receive a helplessness allowance.
The IV/AI recognises three degrees of helplessness: slight, moderate and severe.
The allowance rate varies according to the degree of helplessness and whether the insured person lives in a care facility or at home.
Entitlement arises at the earliest after a waiting period of one year and is paid for a maximum of 12 months prior to the allowance claim submission.
- Adults who live at home, require long-term assistance with basic everyday tasks and receive an IV/AI pension of 25% or more are also considered ‘helpless’ under IV/AI regulations. In other words, their health impairment means they are unable to live independently without the assistance of a third party;
- they are reliant on the assistance of a third party with activities and social interaction outside the home; or
- they are at serious risk of long-term isolation from the outside world.
Entitlement to an IV/AI helplessness allowance ceases if the person is entitled to claim a helplessness allowance under the obligatory accident insurance or military insurance schemes.
Helplessness allowances are only paid to claimants living in Switzerland.
Minors
Helpless minors may also claim a helplessness allowance. Infants under one year are entitled to an allowance if their helplessness is likely to persist for more than 12 months.
Intensive care supplement
The IV/AI may also award an intensive care supplement to minors requiring intensive supervision for a minimum of four hours a day. The need for intensive care is also categorised according to three levels: slight, moderate and severe. These levels are determined on the basis of the extra time required to care for a child with an invalidity compared to the time required to care for a child of the same age who is not health-impaired.
Only minors who still live at home and are under 18 are entitled to this intensive care supplement.