with child

Parents of children may choose between parental allowance (Basis-Elterngeld) and parental allowance plus (Elterngeld Plus), or a combination of the two.

Parental allowance (Basiselterngeld)

Parental allowance is paid for 12 or 14 months. It is paid for a maximum of 12 months if only one parent takes parental leave. It is paid for a maximum of 14 months if both parents share parental leave between them. It can also be paid for 14 months if a mother or a father is a lone parent.

The minimum amount of parental allowance is 300,00 € per month. Because parental allowance is seen as a benefit in lieu of earnings, the amount is based on the average wage in the 12 months prior to the birth of the child. With the exception of a few special cases, the general rule is 67 % of the net wage. Students with no earned income prior to the birth of the child receive the minimum rate of 300,00 €.

The parental allowance can be halved and paid for twice the amount of time. Parents receive the parental allowance in addition to child benefit. However, it is offset against maternity allowance. Families receiving parental allowance who have more than one child are eligible for a supplement for the other children.

Parental allowance is offset against ALG II unemployment benefit where the claim did not result from employment prior to the birth of the child. Parents who had compulsory health insurance in the statutory scheme prior to the birth of the child continue to be insured premium-free when they are receiving parental allowance, as long as they have no earnings on which statutory health insurance contributions are payable (e.g. part-time wage; exception: mini job).

Parental allowance plus (Elterngeld Plus)

This type of parental allowance offers mothers and fathers the chance to claim half the amount of parental allowance but for twice as long if they work part-time. If the mother and the father each works between 25 and 30 hours per week, there is also a partnership bonus over a further four months per parent. As in the past, students continue to receive a minimum of 150,00 € per month under parental allowance plus.

Parental allowance is not included in the BAföG calculation.

Application

The application for parental allowance must be made to the responsible authority following the birth of the child.

In Duisburg:

Jugendamt Duisburg, Ludgeristraße 12, 47057 Duisburg

In Essen and Mülheim:

Amt für Soziales und Wohnen, Kurfürstenstraße 33, 45138 Essen

Generally Students are not entitled to ALG II unemployment benefit on account of their eligibility for training assistance under BAföG.

There are some exceptions:

• Children up to 15 years of age may be entitled to the social allowance/Children from the age of 15: ALG II (standard benefit, accommodation or additional needs). They are part of their studying parents’ shared household in the calculation.
• Single and expectant mothers may under certain circumstances also be entitled to apply for additional needs or one-off benefits which are not related to their studies (e.g. baby equipment in the case of pregnancy). These payments are not hardship benefits and therefore may not be approved as loans.
• During a vacation semester students are not officially in training or education that is eligible for financial assistance and therefore may be able to claim ALG II unemployment benefit.

Applications are made to the “Jobcenter”.

 

 

The child benefit is 250,00 € per month (state 01/2023).

The person the child lives with receives the child benefit.

Applications are made to the Family Benefits Office of your local Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit; Familienkasse).

The tax office decides whether you receive child benefit or are granted a tax exemption.

In order to prevent low-income families from rushing into unemployment benefit "Arbeitslosengeld II (ALG II)", there is a child supplement of up to 250,00 € per month (state 01/2023).

You can check whether you are entitled to the child supplement with the KiZ-Lotsen of Familienkasse. You can apply for the child supplement directly online.

Recipients of a child supplement do not have to pay the cost contribution for the kindergarten or day care centre. Those who are eligible can additionally receive assistance with education and participation for their children (see German Social Code SGB II, Section 28 Bedarfe für Bildung und Teilhabe).

For students with children there is a childcare supplement of 160,00 € per month for each child. The supplement is paid in a lump sum without evidence of corresponding childcare costs. It is not offset against other social benefits such as housing benefit. The application must be submitted separately to the BAföG-Amt. Only one parent can receive the supplement at a time.

The requirements for this are:

• own child under 14 years
• living together in one household 

In addition, each child is granted a certain allowance on their income during their studies. The maximum funding period and the age limits can also be postponed by raising children.