Denmark

Agnes receives services from the Jewish Community of Copenhagen, including medical and dental care funded by a grant from the Claims Conference.

Agnes receives services from the Jewish Community of Copenhagen, including medical and dental care funded by a grant from the Claims Conference.

Direct compensation payments are made from the Article 2 Fund and the Hardship Fund. The Claims Conference negotiates on an ongoing basis with the German government to include additional Nazi victims in compensation programs, increase payments, and provide increased funds for social services.

The social situation of Nazi victims in Denmark is more difficult compared to other elderly. Most are immigrants from Poland and Hungary, and so did not have the opportunity to work long enough to build up a substantial pension. Therefore most of them are living on a state social pension.

As a result of the international economic situation, state support for homecare and other welfare programs is not sufficient to meet demand. The elderly are still receiving special assistance from the state for medical needs and homecare, but in most cases this amount is not enough to pay for all their needs. Therefore the Jewish Community is playing an increasingly important role by covering needs that the state no longer secures.

The Jewish Community of Copenhagen, a very small community, does not have a professional social department. Since 2005 the Claims Conference has supported the Jewish community by allocating funds for a case worker to look after the daily needs of survivors, as well as supporting meal deliveries, medical equipment, medicine, and transportation.