Apply for compensation instead of a monthly social compensation payment for widows and widowers

Widows and widowers can receive a settlement instead of a monthly compensation payment if they are eligible. You can find out more here.

As a widow or widower, you can apply to receive a settlement instead of the monthly compensation payments. The application must be submitted within one year of the compensation payment being approved. This option gives surviving dependants greater freedom of choice. No special justification for the choice of compensation or the fulfillment of certain conditions is required.

The decision as to whether a settlement is appropriate or sensible in view of the survivor's personal situation is his or her sole responsibility, although advice on this can also be provided as part of case management.

The severance payment amounts to EUR 126,600. Monthly compensation payments already made must be offset against the severance payment. All claims to monthly compensation payments are settled with the payment of the settlement.

Widows and widowers of an injured party who has not died as a result of an injury can, under certain conditions, receive a settlement instead of a monthly compensation payment on application. The basic requirement is that the injury occurred before January 1, 2024.

The settlement amounts to EUR 62,742. If the deceased injured party had a degree of injury of 100, the settlement amounts to EUR 94,113. Monthly compensation payments already made must be offset against the settlement. All claims to monthly compensation payments for non-injury-related death are settled with the payment of the settlement.

Please note that your social compensation provider will decide whether and to what extent you will 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:

Authorization of a monthly compensation payment less than one year ago

• You are the widow or widower of a deceased injured person.
• You were granted the monthly compensation payments less than a year ago.

Appeal: An appeal can be lodged against a decision within one month of its notification. Further information regarding the procedure and the competent authority to which you can lodge an appeal can be found in the notification of your application. The appeal can be submitted in writing and electronically.

With the application for compensation instead of a monthly compensation payment for widows and widowers, the institution will check your entitlement or the corresponding amount of the compensation payment. You will receive a notification of the decision and, if applicable, information on the benefits granted as well as other necessary documents.

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.
• You will then discuss whether you are entitled to a settlement instead of monthly compensation benefits.
• 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 responsible office.
• 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.
• 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.
• The eligible costs and approved cash benefits will be transferred to the account you have specified.

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.