Education and Participation

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.

The benefits provided for education and participation vary in amount.

Overview of all eligible costs:*

• One-day field trips or excursions with the day care or child care facility or school (actual costs; this means the costs charged by the school, day care or child care facility are assumed)
• Multi-day class and day care trips (actual costs)
• Personal school supplies
• Costs of transportation for students to school
• Learning assistance (actual costs – tutoring can be utilised if key learning goals are directly at risk)
• Participation in group lunches at school or at a day care or child care facility (actual costs)
• Participation in social and cultural activities in the community (such as sports clubs or music school, up to 15 euros per month)

*Please note: This information is based on the provisions of German federal law. However, the nature and scope may vary by municipality.

What is not covered?

• Pocket money for field trips and excursions with the day care facility or school
• Snacks during breaks
• Recreational activities that do not serve the purpose of participation, but rather take place individually (such as gym membership)

People who receive the following benefit must apply to receive education and participation benefits:

• Housing benefit
• Child allowance
• Social assistance under the twelfth book of the German Code of Social Laws (SGB) (cost of living benefit and basic welfare for the elderly and people with reduced earnings capacity)

Persons who receive the following benefits are not required to apply separately for these benefits:

• Unemployment benefit II and social benefit under the second book of the German Code of Social Laws (SGB II)
• Benefits under the Asylum-Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG)

Please note: Even if you are not required to submit an application, proof of benefits must be submitted in order to receive reimbursements for the relevant costs.

Persons who do not receive any of the benefits listed above may still be eligible for benefits as part of the education and participation package if they provide appropriate documentation. Please consult the responsible authority in your local area for information on this.

To receive reimbursement for costs, you need to gather all the documentation showing your expenses. This includes things like bus tickets and bills from the school for day trips.

Please note: Costs can only be reimbursed if the appropriate documentation is provided. This is not the case for personal school supplies. A fixed amount is transferred to cover these costs for every semester. To receive this amount, the child’s school registration must be forwarded to the authority responsible for providing benefits. This is necessary only if the child is under the age of 7 years or over the age of 15 years.

If you are receiving unemployment benefit II, social benefit under the second book of the German Code of Social Laws (SGB II) or benefits under the Asylum-Seekers’ Benefits Act (AsylbLG), you will automatically be considered for education and participation benefits. If this is your situation, all you need to do is submit the documentation of your costs.

If you receive a child allowance or housing benefit, you need to apply separately. A separate application is also required for those receiving social assistance under the twelfth book of the German Code of Social Laws (SGB) (cost of living benefit and basic welfare for the elderly and people with reduced earnings capacity. This application encompasses any and all BuT benefits that may apply.

Exception: If you have applied for a benefit to help you with the cost of living (social assistance under the twelfth book of the SGB) before 31 December 2023, this also includes benefits for learning assistance. If this is your situation, all you need to do is submit the documentation of your costs. You do not need to apply separately for school supplies (such as pens, pencils and paper), either. This benefit will automatically be paid as a lump sum together with the social assistance. The only documentation required in this case is the child’s school registration.

Benefits for education and participation are paid only to teens and young adults who are not receiving any pay for training or education. If you earn money as part of your apprenticeship or traineeship and are not eligible for social benefits, you also cannot receive benefits as part of the education and participation package.

When you submit an application, it is reviewed individually for each child. If you have more than one child, you need a separate application for each child.