Severe Disability - Applying for Determination of a Disability

• Your health has been impaired for more than 6 months in a way that makes your participation in social life more difficult or impossible. These impairments can be recognized as a disability. • Your health impairments are documented by medical records. • Cooperation • The Versorgungsamt (welfare office) needs your cooperation to process your application. Inform it of all relevant facts and submit required documents as copies. • Observe deadlines and, if necessary, apply in writing for an extension of the deadline to avoid a rejection.

Antrag auf Feststellung einer Behinderung (application for determination of a disability) Please use the form and submit the application in writing by post. • Missing documents and papers (in PDF format) can be submitted afterward for an ongoing procedure via the online service (under "Forms"). • Proof of identity • Personalausweis (identity card): copy of the front and back • Non-EU citizens must provide an official certificate of their residence status. This can be a color copy of the passport/residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel). • Cross-border commuters who keep their residence abroad need a certificate of employment from their current employer. • If represented: power of attorney or Betreuerausweis (legal guardian card) • For minor applicants (from age 15): proof of custody • Steueridentifikationsnummer (tax identification number, Steuer-ID) • Medical records in your possession (if available or applicable) Please do not submit X-ray images or ultrasound/CT files, only the corresponding medical report (Befund). • Further medical assessments from, for example, the Jobcenter (job center), the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency), the Medizinischer Dienst (Medical Service) (care assessment), the Rentenversicherungsträger (pension insurance provider), • Decisions from other administrative authorities (e.g. under the Sozialen Entschädigungsrecht [social compensation law]), the Berufsgenossenschaft (statutory accident insurance institution), determination of health impairments by a German court, Minderung der Erwerbsfähigkeit (reduction in earning capacity, MdE), or Grad der Schädigungsfolgen (degree of damage consequences, GdS), • Further documents such as a blood sugar diary, a prescription for a wheelchair or rollator (walking frame)

• (Paper) application for determination of a disability (Antrag auf Feststellung einer Behinderung) under SGB IX § 152 www.berlin.de/lageso/_assets/behinderung/schwerbehinderung-v • Instructions for completing the form and checklist for the application www.berlin.de/lageso/_assets/behinderung/schwerbehinderung-v • Information on the application – Merkzeichen (markers/codes) in easy language www.berlin.de/lageso/_assets/behinderung/schwerbehinderung-v • Online application: submitting additional documents liste-antraege.bda.service.berlin.de/intelliform/forms/defau

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• Sozialgesetzbuch Neuntes Buch (SGB IX) § 152 - Feststellung der Behinderung, Ausweise (Social Code Book Nine, § 152 - Determination of Disability, Identity Cards) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__152.html

5-6 months

• "Berliner Ratgeber Inklusion für Menschen mit Behinderung" (Berlin Guide to Inclusion for People with Disabilities) (Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales – State Office for Health and Social Affairs) www.berlin.de/lageso/behinderung/schwerbehinderung-versorgun • Information on the Feststellungsverfahren (assessment procedure) (Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales – State Office for Health and Social Affairs) www.berlin.de/lageso/behinderung/schwerbehinderung-versorgun • Ortsverzeichnis Deutschland (directory of German localities): for finding the responsible Versorgungsamt (welfare office) (Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Familie – Lower Saxony State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family) soziales.niedersachsen.de/startseite/service_kontakt/ortsver • If you need support filling out the application, you can also contact the "Beratungsstelle für Menschen mit Behinderungen, Krebs- und chronischen Erkrankungen" (counseling center for people with disabilities, cancer and chronic illnesses) at the Gesundheitsamt (public health office) of your home district. service.berlin.de/standorte/gesundheitsaemter/

This service can only be used at the Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales - Versorgungsamt Berlin (State Office for Health and Social Affairs - Pensions Office Berlin).