Facts
[B.] , born in 1941, has been receiving a half disability pension from the Disability Insurance since 1995 and a full disability pension since 2004 due to a back condition and visual impairment. On February 4, 2005, he applied for a helplessness allowance. The IV-Stelle Bern (Disability Insurance Office Bern) initially granted him a low degree of helplessness allowance. Upon the insured's appeal, the Administrative Court of the Canton of Bern remanded the case to the IV-Stelle for further clarification. Subsequently, the IV-Stelle again granted the insured a low degree of helplessness allowance, which the Administrative Court of the Canton of Bern confirmed.Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court concluded that the insured is entitled to a moderate degree of helplessness allowance. While he is regularly and significantly dependent on third-party assistance in the areas of eating and mobility/social contacts, which would justify a low degree of helplessness allowance, the insured also requires practical life guidance, as he cannot live independently without significant third-party assistance. This need for…