Who does not receive child benefit?

The child supplement is a financial support that helps low-income families to secure their livelihood without having to rely on additional social benefits. It is part of the German social benefits system and can be applied for alongside child benefit. The child supplement is particularly important because it relieves families in a financially stressful situation and at the same time reduces child poverty. With this help, parents can better provide for their children's basic needs, from education to healthcare. The child supplement therefore not only helps to stabilize the family budget, but also supports social participation and equal opportunities for children.

Who is not entitled to child supplement?

Income limits

Not every family can apply for the child supplement. One significant restriction concerns the income limits. The supplement is aimed at parents or legal guardians whose income reaches the specified minimum income limit, but is not high enough to cover their needs completely without state assistance.

• Minimum income

  : For single parents, the limit is around 600 euros per month.

• Maximum total income

  : If the household income is above a certain limit, which is calculated depending on the number of children and other factors, families are not eligible.

Asset tests

The asset situation is also checked. If certain allowances are exceeded, the entitlement to child supplement is lost. These include

• Financial reserves

  : savings amounts above the statutory exemption limits can prevent entitlement.

• Assets

  : possessions such as real estate or securities that exceed the allowance have a negative impact on entitlement.

Exceptions

There are also certain exceptions where there is no entitlement to the child supplement despite low income:

• Receipt of other social benefits

  : Anyone already receiving benefits such as ALG II or social assistance cannot also receive the child supplement.

• Lack of entitlement to child benefit

  : As the child supplement acts as a supplement to child benefit, it is only available if child benefit is received.

In order to successfully apply for the child supplement, it is advisable to know your individual income and financial circumstances in detail and, if in doubt, to seek advice from a family benefits office.

Applying for child supplement

The application for child supplement can be submitted online via the Family Benefits Office of the Federal Employment Agency. There are a few steps to follow to apply for the child supplement. First, you need a family allowance profile. Log in to your account on the Federal Employment Agency portal and use your BundID.

Fill out the application form carefully. You must provide information about yourself and all children living in the household for whom you receive child benefit. If necessary, select the appropriate online form, for example a short application if your circumstances have remained the same over the last six months.

Once you have submitted the application online, you can upload the necessary documents and evidence as a photo or PDF. If something changes later, you can easily notify the family benefits office online.

Use this option to secure support for your family quickly and securely. You can also find additional details about the child supplement and the requirements on the Family Benefits Office website.

Using the child supplement calculator

To use the child supplement calcul ator effectively and check your eligibility in advance, please note the following steps:

1. Access the calculator: Visit the website of the Federal Employment Agency and find the child supplement calculator there. It is often linked on the homepage or under the "Family benefits" section.

2. Enter your personal data :

3. Enter the net family income

4. Number and age of children

5. Rental costs and ancillary costs

6. Other relevant expenses

These entries are crucial as they form the basis for the calculation. Inaccurate data will lead to unreliable results.

1. Checking eligibility:

   The calculator shows whether there is an entitlement to child supplement and, if so, how much is likely to be paid.

Tips for more accurate results:

• Use recent payslips and tenancy agreements for accurate information

• Take into account all sources of income, including child benefit and maintenance payments

By making accurate entries, you increase the reliability of the calculation and can better plan whether an application for child supplement is worthwhile.

Updates in the year 2024

From January 2024, the child supplement for low-income families will be increased. The maximum amount will rise from 250 euros to 292 euros per child per month. This adjustment will be made automatically by the family benefits office, so families who already apply for or receive the child supplement will not have to do anything else. This increase is intended to provide financial relief for families whose income is barely sufficient to cover living costs. To apply for the child supplement in 2024, parents must still be eligible for child benefit and the children must be under 25 and unmarried. These changes signal important support for families in financial straits.

Conclusion

Applying for the child supplement is an important step towards easing the financial burden on families in Germany. This support offers parents the opportunity to give their children a better quality of life by reducing the financial burden. The correct application is crucial in order to receive the support you need.

Families have various assistance options available to them in addition to the child supplement. This can be other government support or private advice services to help them apply correctly and efficiently.

The child supplement therefore plays an important role in the support system for families. To get the best possible help, find out more about the steps you need to take to apply and use the advice services available.