Applying for aids for victims as a result of recognized consequences of injury within the framework of social compensation

If you have suffered damage to your health as a result of certain events and the consequences of the damage have been recognized, you can receive aids such as body replacements or orthopaedic aids. You can find out more here.

You can receive medical aids for recognized consequences of injury. Assistive products are all items prescribed by a doctor that ensure the success of medical treatment or alleviate or compensate for the consequences of damage to health. In particular, this includes prostheses, orthopaedic and other aids including the necessary modification, repair and replacement as well as training in the use of the aids (e.g. rollators). Dentures are not considered aids.

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:

• Medical evidence of the consequences of the injury and the need for the aid, for example:
  • Hospital report
  • Therapy report
  • Medical certificates

• As the injured party, you have suffered a health impairment in Germany or, under certain conditions, abroad (§ 15 SGB XIV) due to a damaging event.
• The health impairment has resulted in physical, psychological, mental or sensory impairments that have already been recognized as consequences of injury with a degree of damage.
• With regard to these recognized consequences of injury, you currently require an aid (e.g. orthopaedic shoes, wheelchair, hearing aids or care consumables).

When you apply for social compensation benefits, the social compensation law institution checks whether you are entitled to aids for injured persons as a result of recognized consequences of injury. The authority examines your application and decides on the granting of the benefit and its scope. You will receive a notification of the decision and, if applicable, information about the benefits granted as well as other necessary evidence.

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.

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.