Helplessness Allowance (Hilflosenentschädigung, UVG/IV)
The helplessness allowance is a monthly cash benefit of Swiss social insurance for persons who, because of a health impairment, permanently depend on the help of others or on personal supervision for everyday activities (Art. 9 ATSG); in accident insurance it amounts under Art. 27 UVG to two, four or six times the maximum insured daily earnings, depending on the degree of helplessness.
Concept and requirements
A person is considered helpless if, because of a health impairment, they permanently need the help of others or personal supervision for everyday activities – dressing, getting up, eating, personal hygiene, using the toilet, moving about (Art. 9 ATSG). Accident insurance pays a helplessness allowance where the helplessness is caused by an accident (Art. 26 para. 1 UVG). The benefit is a lump-sum compensation for the additional burden and is paid irrespective of income, assets and the costs actually incurred; it can be drawn in addition to a pension and an integrity compensation. Where an entitlement under accident insurance coincides with one under the IV or AHV, the accident insurance helplessness allowance takes precedence (Art. 66 para. 3 ATSG).
Assessment in accident insurance
The helplessness allowance is paid monthly and assessed according to the degree of helplessness: it amounts to at least twice and at most six times the maximum insured daily earnings (Art. 27 UVG). Art. 38 UVV distinguishes three levels – severe helplessness (help with all everyday activities plus permanent care or supervision) at six times, moderate helplessness at four times and slight helplessness at twice the maximum. At the maximum daily earnings of CHF 406 (as of 2026) this results in CHF 812, CHF 1,624 and CHF 2,436 per month respectively. The allowance is paid at the same level regardless of where the person lives.
Comparison with the IV and country comparison
The IV helplessness allowance (Art. 42 ff. IVG) uses the same three degrees of severity but is calculated as a percentage of the maximum AHV old-age pension – 20, 50 or 80 percent for persons living at home and one quarter of that for persons living in an institution; an assistance contribution may also be claimed. The UVG benefit is therefore generally higher for persons with high earnings and does not depend on the place of residence. In Germany statutory accident insurance pays a care allowance (Pflegegeld) under § 44 SGB VII where care is needed; in Austria accident insurance settles the entitlement to care allowance under the Federal Care Allowance Act.
Legal basis
- CH: Art. 26 and 27 UVG
- CH: Art. 37 and 38 UVV (helplessness, assessment)
- CH: Art. 9 ATSG (helplessness), Art. 66 para. 3 ATSG (priority of accident insurance)
- CH: Art. 42–42ter IVG