Integration assistance; application for children and young people with mental disabilities or impending mental disabilities

If a child or young person has a mental disability or is at risk of one and their participation in society is restricted as a result, integration assistance in accordance with Section 35a of the German Social Code (SGB) - Eighth Book (VIII) may be considered.

Some children and young people are unable to participate in public life on an equal footing due to their mental disability. A mental disability can, for example, be an

• anxiety disorder,
• depression,
• psychosis,
• autism,
• ADHD or
• an eating disorder

can be.

In order to support children and young people in leading a self-determined life, integration assistance in accordance with Section 35a SGB VIII may be considered. This integration assistance is aimed at children and young people with a mental disability or the threat of a mental disability.

Integration assistance is provided

• in outpatient form
• in day care facilities for children or in other day care facilities
• by suitable caregivers and
• in day and night facilities and other forms of residential care.

• Contact the youth welfare office responsible for you. They will tell you which documents are required to check your entitlement. The authority may ask you to use a form.

Children and young people can receive integration assistance in the event of a mental or impending mental disability.

The prerequisite for this is that

• there is a high probability that their mental health will deviate from the typical state for their age for longer than 6 months and
• the child's or young person's participation in society is impaired as a result, or
• such an impairment is highly likely to occur.

In order to check the requirements, the youth welfare office will obtain an opinion from a medical or psychotherapeutic professional who specializes in children and adolescents in particular.

• Contact your local youth welfare office.
• They will advise you and your child on possible assistance, the application process and the further procedure.
• The staff at your local youth welfare office will work with you to decide what help is suitable for your family.
• If you need support over a longer period of time, the staff at the youth welfare office will draw up a support plan together with all those involved. This plan regulates the joint approach and is regularly adapted and updated depending on the development of the child or young person.
• The support services are provided by public and independent youth welfare organizations. These can be local authorities, associations or clubs, for example.

There are no deadlines to be observed.

No costs are incurred. The costs of integration assistance are always borne by the youth welfare office.

In some cases (e.g. residential care), those affected can also share in the costs downstream. The Youth Welfare Office will check whether and to what extent parents can contribute to the costs. The assessment takes into account the ability of those liable to contribute to the costs.

In addition to mental disabilities, there are also physical and mental disabilities. Integration assistance may also be available for these. Other agencies may be responsible for this. Ask your youth welfare office which office is responsible for you or your child.