Facts
A., born in 1914, has been receiving Supplementary Benefits (SBA) to the Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHV) pension since March 2009. From October 2010 onwards, her granddaughter E. lived in the household of the grandmother free of charge to provide care. Consequently, the Cantonal Social Insurance Office of St. Gallen (SVA) divided the rent equally between A. and E. as of October 1, 2010. The heirs of the deceased A. contested this practice.Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court dismissed the appeal. It stated that according to Art. 16c Paras. 1 and 2 of the Ordinance on Supplementary Benefits to the Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance and Disability Insurance (SBO), the rent must generally be divided among all cohabitants if a dwelling is also occupied by persons who are not included in the SBA calculation. An exception to this rule is only permissible if the cohabitation is based on a civil law maintenance obligation. In the present case, such an exception did not apply, as the granddaughter lived with her grandmother free of charge…