Child allowance

The Child allowance is calculated individually for each child. You will receive a maximum of 297 euros per month per child. If there are several children, a total amount is paid out. It is usually transferred to the person who also receives the Child benefit.

To find out whether you are entitled to Child allowance, the monthly income of the parents or partners in a household is added together. You must have earned at least 600 euros gross as a single parent and at least 900 euros gross as a couple in the last six months.

There is no maximum income limit. The family fund of the employment agency decides on each application individually.

The calculation depends on:

• Your income as a family
• Your housing costs (rent or property)
• The size of the family
• The age of the children

The higher your income, the lower the Child allowance.

Income includes, for example:

• Income from self-employment or employment subject to social insurance contributions Short-time working allowance
• Unemployment benefit I
• Maternity benefit
• Sickness benefit
• Parental benefit
• BAföG
• Alimony

Not taken into account:

• Child benefit
• Housing benefit
• Citizen's benefit
• Asylum seeker benefits

Tip: You can use the online test of the KiZ-Lotsen to easily check whether you are entitled to a Child allowance.

To apply for a Child allowance, you should have various documents ready:

• Application form for Child allowance
• Proof of salary or wage for the last 6 months including short-time allowance
• Pension certificate
• Parental allowance notification
• Notification of pension
• Notification of parental allowance
• BAföG notification
• Proof of maintenance
• If applicable. Notice of housing benefit
• Current proof of accommodation costs (e.g. rent certificate)

Depending on your living situation, the Family Benefits Office may ask you for further documents.

The best way to do this is to use the apply for Child allowance online. There you will be guided through the application and extensive help texts are available.

The Child allowance is paid for 6 months. After that, you must reapply for it. If your situation has not changed, you can simply fill in a short application after 6 months

Child allowance Kurzantrag (arbeitsagentur.de)

If you receive a Child allowance, you must notify the family benefits office of certain changes.

Examples of possible changes:

• Another child has been born
• Someone moves in or out of your home
• Your marital status changes because you marry or separate from your partner
• The child, for whom you receive Child allowance gets married or enters into a civil partnership

If one of these statements applies to you, please complete the form for your notification of change of circumstances. Then sign it and send it by post to your responsible family benefits office.

Download form (PDF)

Important: You must notify the family benefits office of all changes immediately. If you inform your family benefits office later or not at all, you can expect repayments or even a penalty.

To receive Child allowance, you must apply for it at the family benefits office. You can also complete the application online, download it from the Family Benefits Office website or obtain it from the Family Benefits Office responsible for you.

Application for Child allowance

Form sheets and forms from the Family Benefits Office - Federal Employment Agency (arbeitsagentur.de)

Tip: You would prefer to speak to someone - you are welcome to arrange a video consultation appointment with us here or visit us in person.

You can use the service location search of the employment agency to find the family benefits office in your city.

The Family Benefits Office calculates your Child allowance individually. Here you will find sample calculations:

Example 1) Single parent with 1 child

If a single parent pays €490 in rent, the family will receive a Child allowance if the gross income is around €1.400 to around €2,000 gross (child: 6 years).

Example 2) Single parent with 2 children

With a warm rent of €790, the gross salary may be around €1,100 to around €2,600. (children: 6 and 8 years).

Example 3) Couple with two children

1. For a couple with two children and a warm rent of €690, the joint gross income may be around €1.500 to around €3,400 (children: 6 and 8 years).
2. With a warm rent of €990, the gross income may be around €1,900 to around €3,800 (children: 6 and 8 years).

Example 4) Couple with three children

If a couple with three children pays a warm rent of €990, they may earn around €1,400 to around €4.400 gross (children: 6, 8 and 10 years) in order to receive Child allowance

Source: Flyer Child allowance January 2022 (arbeitsagentur.de)

No. Minimum income limits apply for the Child allowance. This means that you must earn at least €600 gross as a single parent and at least €900 gross as a couple. 556 € is too little. Please check whether you could be entitled to other benefits, such as Citizen's benefit or Housing benefit.

Changes in income during the approval period of six months do not affect the amount of entitlement. If you wish to notify the Family Benefits Office of another change, please complete and sign the following form. Then send it to your responsible family benefits office

Download form (PDF)

Yes, you can also apply for other benefits with the Child allowance. For example, exemption from kindergarten or daycare fees.

For exemption from kindergarten or daycare fees, please contact the youth welfare office responsible for you.

Other costs that may be reimbursed:

• Costs for excursions and class trips from school, KiTa or day care,
• 156 euros per school year for school supplies,
• Costs for the travel ticket to school,
• costs for learning support and tutoring,
• lunch at school, after-school care, kindergarten or day care,
• a lump sum of €15 per month for children's participation in social and cultural life. For example, for the sports club or music school.

To apply for these benefits, please contact your local authority. You can find out which one this is on the information page on the education package of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

No. In principle, it is not possible to receive Child allowance and Citizen's benefit at the same time. If in doubt, please contact your family benefits office.

You can easily check whether you can get a Child allowance using the online check from the KiZ-Lotsen.

The Child allowance is normally paid to the parent who also receives the Child benefit.