Apply for case management as part of social compensation for injured parties

If you have suffered damage to your health as a result of certain events, you can make use of case management. The case management team will guide you through the application and benefits process in an activating and coordinating manner. You can find out more here.

In case management, a case manager accompanies the beneficiaries through the application and benefit procedure in an activating and coordinating manner.

Case management services are provided with the consent of the beneficiaries, which also includes the necessary data collection. Consent must be documented in writing.

Injured parties should receive case management if

1. the harmful event was a criminal offense against life or against sexual self-determination or
2. they were minors when the harmful event occurred.

Case management includes in particular

1. determining the possible need for assistance that has arisen as a result of the harmful event, taking into account the particular circumstances of the individual case,
2. providing information on the social benefits that may be available,
3. assisting the beneficiaries with the aim of obtaining prompt and coordinated benefits, insofar as beneficiaries have or could have claims against other social benefit providers,
4. assistance with the application process, information on the initiation and course of the social compensation procedure,
5. support during the social compensation procedure.

Case management may include making contact with potentially entitled persons.

If a needs assessment and a participation plan procedure are to be carried out, case management services are also provided.

Please note that your social compensation provider will decide whether and to what extent you receive support.

The Hessian Offices for Care and Social Affairs (HÄVS) in Darmstadt, Frankfurt am Main, Fulda, Gießen, Kassel and Wiesbaden are responsible for this in the state of Hesse.

You can find the HAVS responsible for your place of residence under the following link:

If necessary, you must provide evidence:

• Proof of the harmful event, for example:
  • A reference or indication of a harmful event or damage to health is sufficient

• You have suffered a health impairment in Germany due to a damaging event and can prove the direct or substantial connection.
• The health impairment has resulted in physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments that continue to exist
• You have your domicile or habitual residence in Germany and
• you were temporarily abroad at the time of the offense and suffered a damaging event there

or

• You are temporarily resident abroad but have suffered a harmful event in Germany

or

• You have your permanent residence abroad but have suffered a damaging event in Germany

When you apply for social compensation benefits, the social compensation law institution checks whether the case management benefits are eligible and can be provided.

You can apply for social compensation benefits online or in writing.

• If necessary, you can make an appointment with your contact person at the pension authority or at your responsible office.
• They will then discuss with you whether you are entitled to social compensation benefits and what support services can be offered.
• If necessary, the case management team can discuss the further procedure and possible entitlements to benefits with you that go beyond the general duty to provide information and advice.
• If you are entitled to social compensation benefits, your contact person will discuss the next steps with you.
• The contact person will provide you with the relevant documents. If necessary, complete the documents, enclose the required evidence or supporting documents and send the documents back to your contact person.
• Your claims will be determined ex officio on the basis of the documents. The authority will inform you of the result in the form of a decision, which is usually sent to you by letter.
• If entitlements to benefits have been determined, you will receive an approval notice. If no entitlements are determined, you will receive a rejection notice.
• However, you also have the option of submitting the application online. To do this, you must complete the online application and upload the necessary supporting documents

There is no deadline.

The prerequisite for processing is that all mandatory information has been provided. The processing time varies depending on the competent authority and the individual case. It is not possible to give an exact time and it depends on the complexity of the individual case.

The application is free of charge.

Further information can be found on the website of your country or your competent authority.