Switzerland - Other invalidity-related cash benefits
This chapter introduces the cash benefits paid in addition to invalidity pensions to disabled people who need particular assistance (see also the chapter on Invalidity pensions).
Benefits covered in this chapter:
- Helplessness allowance
- Personal assistance allowance
In what situation can I claim?
There is no specific dependency scheme in Switzerland. If you need particular assistance, the invalidity insurance may however pay you benefits.
- Helplessness allowance: this is mainly intended for people who, due to their state of health, are in permanent need of assistance from a third party or personal supervision to carry out basic everyday tasks (to move around, eat, dress themselves, go to the toilet, etc.).
- Personal assistance allowance: this enables the helpless person who wishes to live at his or her own home to employ a carer who will provide the assistance needed. It aims to encourage people to live independently.
What conditions do I need to meet?
Helplessness allowance
To be entitled to this allowance, you need to:
- be living in Switzerland and be habitually resident there;
- demonstrate a severe, moderate or slight degree of helplessness.
The helplessness allowance is suspended for each full calendar month that you spend in a hospital or if you stay for more than 24 days in an institution for the execution of rehabilitation measures.
Minors may also be entitled to a helplessness allowance.
If you receive a helplessness allowance through your accident insurance, you cannot receive this through the invalidity insurance (see the chapter on Accident insurance).
Personal assistance allowance
For entitlement to this allowance, you need to:
- be receiving a helplessness allowance through the AI (invalidity insurance);
- be living at home.
You may also apply if you are staying in an institution which you are planning on leaving.
Insured minors may also benefit from a personal assistance allowance in certain cases.
What am I entitled to and how can I claim?
Helplessness allowance
The amount of the helplessness allowance depends on your degree of helplessness.
|
Slight helplessness: |
CHF 490 per month |
|
Moderate helplessness: |
CHF 1,225 per month |
|
Severe helplessness: |
CHF 1,960 per month |
These amounts are reduced by 75% if you stay in an institution for more than 15 days per month.
For minors, the amount of the helplessness allowance is:
|
Slight helplessness: |
CHF 16.35 per day |
|
Moderate helplessness: |
CHF 40.85 per day |
|
Severe helplessness: |
CHF 65.35 per day |
Helpless minors who moreover need intense care (compared to a healthy minor of the same age) of at least 4 hours per day on average are entitled, under certain conditions, to a supplement. It is calculated according to the assistance needed:
|
at least 4 hours per day |
CHF 32.65 per day |
|
at least 6 hours per day |
CHF 57.15 per day |
|
at least 8 hours per day |
CHF 81.65 per day |
Helplessness allowances and supplements for intense care are generally paid only for each day that the minor spends at home.
The care needed is assessed by the competent physician.
The degree of helplessness is regularly reassessed by the invalidity insurance offices.
Personal assistance allowance
The personal assistance allowance is calculated according to the time necessary for the assistance, up to a maximum number of hours per month:
|
Base amount: |
CHF 34.30 per hour |
|
Specific qualifications required by the carer: |
CHF 51.50 per hour |
|
Night care: |
Calculated according to the intensity of care to be provided: CHF 164.35 per night maximum |
The personal assistance allowance is paid directly to the insured person on presentation of a monthly invoice. The invoice must detail the hours of work actually provided and may only cover a retroactive period up to the previous 12 months.
Jargon busters
- Severe helplessness: the person needs regular and substantial help to carry out all everyday activities and furthermore needs permanent care or personal supervision.
- Moderate helplessness: the person needs regular and substantial help to carry out the majority of everyday activities or help to carry out at least two everyday activities and furthermore needs permanent personal supervision.
- Slight helplessness: the person needs regular and substantial help to carry out at least two everyday activities; or requires permanent personal supervision or permanently needs particularly demanding care; or due to impairment to sensory organs or a severe disability, the person needs help to establish social contact with his or her entourage.
Forms you may need to fill in
Know your rights
The following links provide additional information about your rights. They are not European Commission sites and do not represent the view of the Commission:
- AVS/AI Information Centre site
- Helplessness allowance on the AVS/AI Information Centre site
- Personal assistance allowance on the AVS/AI Information Centre site
- Social insurance: stay in Switzerland and departure - information for foreign nationals
European Commission publications:
Who do you need to contact?
AI offices
The invalidity insurance offices can provide further information and direct you to the appropriate services.
Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO)
Effingerstrasse 20
3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 584629011