You are entitled to a severely disabled person's ID card if you have been found to have a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more. A severely disabled person’s ID card brings financial advantages, such as cheaper tickets on local public transport – sometimes for an accompanying person as well - if your disability affects your mobility or vision.

Disabled students are entitled to higher student support grants (BAFöG). A severely disabled person’s ID card can also help you obtain a certificate of entitlement to accommodation (Wohnberechtigungsschein). Students with disabilities are entitled to compensatory conditions in their studies and exams. The disability needs to be certified by a (specialist) physician. A recognized severe disability is not necessary.

Severely disabled people have special employments rights, for example in the choice and design of their workplace and with regard to the requirements placed upon them at work, support at work, entitlement to part-time work and protection from dismissal. Severely disabled people are also entitled to take more days off work.

Further information and advice on making an application are available on the website einfach-teilhaben.de run by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

The social advocacy organizations VdK and SoVD give further information about the severely disabled person's ID card.

Further information about studying with a disability is available from the national student association Deutsches Studentenwerk.

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