For case workers
DE|EN

Career

Who is entitled to child benefit?

30th April 2025

neue fische UX UI design - 4
Find out here who is entitled to child benefit.

The child supplement is an important financial support for families in Germany who want to ensure their economic stability. Firstly, the child supplement aims to help parents with low to medium incomes who already receive child benefit and need additional financial support. Furthermore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the current regulations for the child supplement 2024 in order to make the most of all available financial benefits. In conclusion, a deeper understanding of this supplement can help to improve the standard of living for the whole family. It is therefore advisable to actively inform yourself about the exact requirements and possibilities of the child supplement.

Who is entitled to the child supplement?

The child supplement supports families with a low income in order to avoid financial bottlenecks. Here are the main criteria for entitlement to the child supplement:

  • Income : There is an income limit that varies depending on the number of children. Your income must be at least 900 euros gross per month if you are a couple and 600 euros if you are a single parent. However, it must not be too high to cover the family's basic needs.

  • Residence : You must be resident and registered in Germany.

  • Number of children : Parents with underage children under the age of 25 who are not yet married and live in your household are eligible.

  • Receipt of child benefit : Receipt of child benefit is a prerequisite. You must receive child benefit for your children in order to apply for the child supplement.

  • No social benefits : The child supplement is only granted if you are not entitled to social benefits or unemployment benefit II as a result of the support.

These points make it much easier to apply for child supplement. However, the child supplement eligibility is checked individually, depending on your personal situation.

How to apply for child supplement

There are a few steps you should follow in order to successfully apply for child supplement. First of all, it is important to check the requirements. The child supplement supports low-income families who already receive child benefit.

Steps for applying:

  1. Find out online : Use the Digital Assistant on the Federal Employment Agency website to check whether you are eligible.

  2. Application : The application for child supplement can be submitted conveniently online via the family portal or the portal of the Federal Employment Agency. You will need an account with the family benefits office.

  3. Provide documents : The following documents are usually required:

  4. Proof of income for the last six months

  5. Proof of housing costs

  6. Birth certificates of the children

  7. Certificate of child benefit

  8. Subsequent submission of documents : If it is not possible to compile all the documents when you first apply, you can submit missing documents online or by post.

Helpful tips: Remember that it makes sense to check all the information provided carefully to avoid delays. Offers such as the family information tool or the application assistant can also help.

Go through the process step by step to ensure everything runs smoothly. With the right preparations and the use of digital tools, you can submit the application efficiently and easily.

Calculating the child supplement

The child supplement is financial support for low-income families. The supplement is paid in addition to child benefit and can amount to up to 292 euros per child. To calculate the child supplement, you need to take a few important factors into account:

  1. Parents' income

    : check whether your income is sufficient to cover your own needs, but not enough to cover the needs of the whole family.

  2. Number of children and child benefit

    : The number of children and the child benefit you already receive play a role.

  3. Housing costs and assets

    : Rental expenses and other assets are also taken into account in the calculation.

Online calculators can be a helpful tool for quickly and easily determining whether you are entitled to a child supplement and, if so, how much you might receive. These tools typically require basic information such as the parents’ net monthly income, the amount of child benefit already received, and current rental costs.

Based on this data, the calculator provides an initial estimate, saving you time and offering a useful starting point in navigating financial support options. A child supplement calculator can therefore serve as a valuable resource for understanding your potential entitlement and exploring what additional financial assistance may be available to you.

Conclusion and useful tips

A successful application for the child supplement can provide significant financial relief, especially for lower-income families. Here are some helpful tips to optimize the process and take full advantage of the child supplement:

  • First, use the online tool "Kinderzuschlag Digital" to check whether you are eligible, which significantly reduces the time spent at the authorities

  • Ensure that all required documents are submitted completely and correctly

  • If you have any uncertainties or questions about the process, don't hesitate to contact the family benefits office

  • Keep an eye on future changes: From 2024, there are likely to be adjustments that could make access easier

  • Use the KiZ-Lotsen from the family benefits office to check your individual entitlement and avoid potential errors

The child supplement remains an important support for families who are barely able to cover their living costs on their own. It is crucial to apply for the child supplement at an early stage and to keep an eye on all requirements in order to ensure that the financial assistance is fully utilized.


Background pattern
Two young adults standing back to back, one holding an orange retro telephone handset, the other holding the phone base.

What are you waiting for?

Apply today! Our Student Admissions team is happy to speak with you and answer any unanswered questions.

Your retraining possibilities

By clicking "Submit", you confirm that you agree to receive email on your application status and want to be contacted by us via phone (by our sophisticated AI-Supporter Clara). Information on how we handle your data can be found in our privacy note.

Yay - Done!

The first step into your new future has been taken. We have sent you an email to arrange a chat with you. Please check your email inbox.

Do not miss out.
Subscribe to our newsletter.