The education and participation package includes various forms of assistance for school, sports, play and culture. The costs are assumed either through personalised vouchers, direct payments to the provider of the service or monetary payments to those receiving the benefit (for example in the form of reimbursement of costs upon provision of proof). Monetary benefits can also be paid in advance of BuT benefits.
Support is available for the following:
Field trips and class trips
The costs of field trips and one-day or multiple-day class trips can be assumed if these excursions are organised officially by the day care or child care facility or by the school in its role as an educational institution.
School supplies (such as pens, pencils, paper)
Students receive a supplement for school supplies once per semester. This money can be used to purchase supplies for school, such as a school bag, sports equipment, pens and pencils, notebooks, a pocket calculator or arts and crafts supplies. In families with multiple children, the parents or guardians receive the supplement for each child, each semester. Recipients of unemployment benefit II, social assistance or benefits for asylum seekers automatically receive the supplement for school supplies together with their social benefits. Recipients of housing benefit and child allowance need to apply to the local municipality responsible for them in order to receive the supplement for school supplies.
Student transportation (bus, train)
Students who cannot get to school by means other than bus or train can receive reimbursements for the costs of transportation to the nearest school. This does not apply if other agencies have already assumed these costs. The “nearest school in the chosen education programme” also includes a school with a specific profile (such as a sport or language profile or a Waldorf school).
States and municipalities have different rules for how far the commute must be in order to receive payment for fares.
Learning assistance (tutoring)
Students who need help with learning can receive learning assistance. The costs of learning assistance are reimbursed so that these persons can reach key learning goals (such as promotion to the next grade or stage of education). However, this is possible only if the school recommends this kind of assistance. This is also a last resort, meaning that there must be no comparable offerings available from the school or other forms of support from entities such as the youth welfare office.
Lunches at day care or child care facilities or schools
If lunch is organised by the day care or child care facility or school and eaten as a group, the costs of this may be assumed.
Culture, sports and recreational activities (such as music instruction, attending the theatre or football club)
If children need money for their hobby, they can receive up to 15 euros per month. The child must be under the age of 18 years. The money is paid for activities in the areas of sports, play, culture and social life, instruction in artistic subjects (such as music), cultural activities (such as educational offerings at museums) and participation in recreational activities (during holiday periods, for example). Activities involving babies or toddlers and their parents (such as parent and child swimming and paid infant and play groups) are also eligible for funding. However, these recreational activities must always serve to support participation in social and cultural activities. In individual cases, the costs of necessary equipment may also be reimbursed. This applies to things like football shoes if the child is a registered member of a football club.
