Skip to content
HalloAmt
Start

Applying for a severe disability ID: process, responsible office and degree of disability

You receive a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis) when the responsible office determines a degree of disability (Grad der Behinderung, GdB) of at least 50 for you (§ 2 Abs. 2, § 152 SGB IX). You apply at the office responsible for severe disability law in your federal state, often called the Versorgungsamt; in many federal states this is also possible online. With your consent, the office obtains medical findings from your doctors, assesses them according to the Versorgungsmedizinische Grundsätze (medical assessment guidelines), and sends you a decision. The ID card comes with this decision if the GdB is 50 or more.

As of: 12.10.2026 · Editorial team HalloAmt · General information, not legal or medical advice (see note at the end).

What is the degree of disability?

The degree of disability (GdB) describes how strongly a health impairment affects life in society. It is determined in steps of ten between 20 and 100 (§ 152 Abs. 1 SGB IX). If you have several impairments, the values are not added together; the office assesses the overall effects (§ 152 Abs. 3 SGB IX). The basis for this is the Versorgungsmedizinische Grundsätze, an annex to the Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung.

GdBwhat it means
below 20no determination
20 to 40you get a decision, but no ID card
30 or 40you can apply for equal status (Gleichstellung) at the employment agency if you cannot get or keep a suitable job without it (§ 2 Abs. 3, § 151 Abs. 2 SGB IX)
from 50you are considered severely disabled and receive the ID card

In addition, the office can determine markers (Merkzeichen) that appear on the ID card and open up further compensations for disadvantages, for example G (significantly impaired mobility in road traffic), aG (exceptionally restricted mobility), H (helpless), Bl (blind), Gl (deaf), B (need for an accompanying person) and RF (broadcasting fee).

Where do I apply for the severe disability ID?

Under § 152 SGB IX, the authority for social compensation is generally responsible; federal states can regulate this differently. That is why the responsible office has a different name in each federal state:

Federal stateresponsible officeonline application
Baden-WürttembergVersorgungsamt at the Landratsamtdepends on the Landratsamt
BavariaZentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales (ZBFS)yes, without login
BerlinLandesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales (LAGeSo), Versorgungsamtcurrently not available
BrandenburgLandesamt für Soziales und Versorgung (LASV)yes
BremenAmt für Versorgung und Inklusion Bremen (AVIB)yes, signature also required by post
HamburgVersorgungsamt Hamburgyes, via the Hamburg-Serviceportal, without login
HesseHessische Ämter für Versorgung und Soziales (at the Regierungspräsidium Gießen)yes
Mecklenburg-Western PomeraniaLandesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales (LAGuS)yes
Lower SaxonyLandesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Familieyes, with BundID
North Rhine-Westphaliadistrict or independent cityyes (ELSA.NRW), signature also required by post or fax
Rhineland-PalatinateLandesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Versorgung (LSJV)yes
SaarlandLandesamt für Soziales (LAS)yes
Saxonydistrict or independent citydepends on the municipality
Saxony-AnhaltLandesamt für Soziales, Jugend und Gesundheit (since April 1, 2026)form as a PDF
Schleswig-HolsteinLandesamt für Arbeitsschutz, Soziales und Gesundheit (LASG)form as a PDF
Thuringiadistrict or independent cityask the municipality

Information as of: 12.10.2026, based on the websites of the federal states. You can submit the application using the form of the federal state, online, or even informally; Hamburg, for example, states this explicitly.

Where do I apply for the ID card in Hamburg?

In Hamburg, the Versorgungsamt Hamburg, part of the Sozialbehörde, is responsible. You can find the online application on the Hamburg-Serviceportal; according to the Versorgungsamt, you do not need to log in for this, and you give your consent to request the medical findings digitally within the online application. There is also a form available to print out.

Where do I apply for the ID card in Berlin?

In Berlin, the Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales (LAGeSo) is responsible. Currently you have to submit the application there on paper; after a technical disruption in spring 2026, LAGeSo states: "Until further notice, online applications are not possible." Documents can be submitted afterwards online. According to LAGeSo, an objection sent by a simple email is not legally valid.

How does the application process work? Step by step

  1. Submit the application. Using your federal state's form, online, or informally. In it, you state your impairments and the doctors, clinics or therapists who treat you.
  2. Sign the consent form. So the office can request findings from your doctors, you need a release from confidentiality (Schweigepflichtentbindung). Without it, the office cannot process your application.
  3. Medical findings. You can enclose current medical reports that you already have. The office will request any missing documents directly from the doctors you named.
  4. Assessment. The office assesses the documents according to the medical assessment guidelines. Often the file is enough; if not, the office can invite you to a medical examination.
  5. Decision. You receive a determination decision (Feststellungsbescheid) with the GdB and, if applicable, markers. If the GdB is 50 or more, you also receive the ID card.
  6. Photo. From the 10th birthday, a photo must be included on the ID card (§ 5 SchwbAwV).

Tax identification number: State it in the application. Since 2026, the office uses it to send the determination electronically to your tax office (see below).

How long does it take?

This depends heavily on the federal state. LAGeSo in Berlin states an average processing time of five to six months. The law only sets fixed deadlines if you are employed (§ 152 Abs. 1 SGB IX): in that case, the office must decide within three weeks if no expert opinion is needed, and within two weeks after the expert opinion is available if one is needed (§ 14 Abs. 2 SGB IX).

The ID card is valid from the day your application was received. If you can credibly show a special interest, the GdB can also be determined for an earlier point in time (§ 152 Abs. 1 SGB IX).

How long is the ID card valid?

As a rule, a maximum of five years from the month of issue (§ 6 SchwbAwV). If no significant change is expected, it can be issued without a time limit. It is valid for a shorter time for children under 10 (at most until the 10th birthday), for young people between 10 and 15 (at most until the 20th birthday), and in the case of a temporary residence permit (at most until it expires).

The ID card has the format of a credit card. Older paper ID cards remain valid; an exchange is not necessary.

What changed in 2026?

  • GdB sent electronically to the tax office: For determinations from January 1, 2026 onward, the lump sum for people with disabilities on the tax return is only granted if the office has transmitted the determination electronically to the tax administration (§ 65 Abs. 3a EStDV). For this, the office needs your tax identification number. ID cards and valid decisions from before continue to be taken into account.
  • New assessment guidelines: Since October 3, 2025, the Sixth Ordinance Amending the Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung has applied, with a new Part A "Common Principles". According to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the ordinance is being revised further.

What compensations for disadvantages are there?

A few important examples with their legal basis:

Compensation for disadvantagewholegal basis
five working days of additional leave per year (for a five-day week)severely disabled employees, not those with equal status§ 208 SGB IX
special protection against dismissal: the employer needs the consent of the integration officeseverely disabled people and those with equal status, after six months in the employment relationship§§ 168, 173 SGB IX
lump sum for people with disabilities on the tax returnfrom GdB 20§ 33b EStG
old-age pension for severely disabled peoplewith 35 years of qualifying period, from age 65, early from age 62 (transitional rules for older birth years)§ 37 SGB VI
free travel on local public transport with a travel passwith marker G, aG, H, Bl or Gl§ 228 SGB IX

Lump sum under § 33b EStG per year:

GdB2030405060708090100
Euro3846208601,1401,4401,7802,1202,4602,840

With marker H, Bl or TBl, it is 7,400 € per year.

Travel pass: According to LAGeSo Berlin and ZBFS Bavaria, it costs 104 € for twelve months or 53 € for six months. It is free, among others, for blind and helpless people, and if you receive basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) or social assistance (Sozialhilfe) (§ 228 Abs. 4 SGB IX).

Objection, Lawsuit and Worsening of Condition

Objection: If you disagree with the decision, file an objection within one month of being notified, in writing, electronically in the required format, or in person at the office that issued the decision (§ 84 SGG). The exact process is explained in the legal remedy instructions at the end of the decision.

Lawsuit: If the office does not uphold your objection, you can file a lawsuit at the Social Court (Sozialgericht) within one month of the objection decision (§ 87 SGG). You do not have to pay court costs for this (§ 183 SGG); however, this rule does not cover the costs of your own lawyer.

Worsening of condition: If your health has changed significantly, you can submit a reassessment application (Neufeststellungsantrag) (§ 48 SGB X), in Berlin for example using the same form as for the initial application. A change is considered significant if it lasts longer than six months and changes the GdB (degree of disability) by at least 10 points. Your entire health condition will then be reassessed, and the GdB can also decrease as a result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I apply for a severely disabled person's pass (Schwerbehindertenausweis)?

At the office responsible for severe disability law in your federal state, often called the Versorgungsamt (welfare office). In Hamburg, this is the Versorgungsamt Hamburg; in Berlin, the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGeSo); in Bavaria, the Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales; in North Rhine-Westphalia, the district (Kreis) or independent city. The table in this guide lists all 16 federal states.

From what degree of disability do I get a severely disabled person's pass?

From a degree of disability (GdB) of 50. At that point, you are considered severely disabled. The office can determine a GdB starting from 20, but below 50 you only receive a decision letter, not a pass.

Can I apply for the severely disabled person's pass online?

In many federal states, yes, for example in Hamburg, Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saarland. In Bremen and North Rhine-Westphalia, you also need to sign something and send it by post. In Berlin, the online application is currently suspended.

How long does it take to get the severely disabled person's pass?

This varies a lot depending on the federal state. Berlin states an average processing time of five to six months. The law only sets fixed deadlines for applicants who are employed: three weeks without an expert opinion, two weeks after an expert opinion has been received.

What can I do if I disagree with the degree of disability?

You can file an objection within one month of being notified of the decision, in writing, electronically, or in person at the office that issued the decision. If the decision stands, you can then file a lawsuit at the Social Court. You do not have to pay court costs for this.

What changed about the severely disabled person's pass in 2026?

Since January 1, 2026, the office sends the determined GdB and markings electronically to the tax office. This requires your tax identification number. Passes and decisions issued before this date remain valid. A revised Part A of the Versorgungsmedizinische Grundsätze (medical assessment guidelines) has already been in effect since October 3, 2025.

How long is a severely disabled person's pass valid?

Usually a maximum of five years from the month of issue. If no significant change is expected, it can be issued without a time limit. Shorter maximum periods apply for children and for people with a temporary residence permit.

Where can I get help?

Questions about your specific case are answered by the responsible office; you can find the contact details on its website and on your decision letter. HalloAmt does not offer a form for the severely disabled person's pass itself. If you receive Child Benefit (Kindergeld) for a child with a disability: if the disability occurred before the child's 25th birthday, Child Benefit is paid without an age limit; you can find more on this in the guide Applying for Child Benefit.

This page provides general, carefully researched information (as of 12.10.2026) and does not replace legal, tax or medical advice. Responsibilities, online services and amounts may change; the responsible office decides on individual cases. For binding information, please contact the responsible office in your federal state, an advice center or a lawyer. We cannot guarantee completeness or accuracy.

Sources