New Supplementary Benefit Regulations for Care Residents in Basel-Stadt

The government of Basel-Stadt is adjusting the lump sum payments for recipients of supplementary benefits (EL) who reside in nursing homes or hospitals. According to reporting from SWI swissinfo.ch, this adjustment is being implemented to account for inflation.

Supplementary benefits are designed to support retirees and individuals in financially modest circumstances in Switzerland. These benefits are provided when old-age and survivors’ insurance (AHV) or disability insurance (IV) pensions, combined with other income, are insufficient to cover minimum living expenses.

Legal Entitlement and Scope

Unlike social welfare or social services, supplementary benefits are a legal entitlement. These payments are available to several categories of individuals, provided they live and normally reside in Switzerland. Eligible persons include:

• Individuals entitled to an OASI (AHV) or DI (IV) pension.
• Persons entitled to a DI daily cash benefit paid for at least six months.
• Persons entitled to an OASI or DI disablement allowance.
• Individuals who do not receive an OASI or DI pension because they have not met the minimum contribution duration requirements.

In the canton of Basel-Stadt, nearly 16,000 households currently receive these supplementary benefits.

Coverage and Application

The benefits are used to cover essential costs, including general living expenses, rent, medical care, and the costs associated with staying in a care home. These are typically disbursed as regular monthly payments or as specific payments to cover disability and illness-related costs.

To qualify for supplementary benefits, individuals must first be evaluated for an AHV or IV pension. Those seeking an AHV pension are directed to the Basel-Stadt compensation office or the compensation office of their canton of residence, while those seeking an IV pension must contact the IV office in Basel-Stadt or their respective canton of residence.

The Basel-Stadt government has previously indicated a goal to reduce the non-take-up rate of these benefits, aiming to ensure that more elderly residents with pensions that fall below the minimum threshold receive the support to which they are legally entitled.