Financial support for families

Maternity benefits compensate for lost income when mothers are not allowed to work during pregnancy or after childbirth, for example during maternity protection periods.

Maternity benefits include:

• Maternity protection pay
• Maternity benefit from the statutory health insurance fund
• Maternity benefit from the Federal Social Security Office
• Employer supplement to maternity pay

Important for student mothers:

• Student mothers who are employed and have voluntary or compulsory statutory health insurance can apply for maternity benefit from their health insurance fund.

• Student mothers who are not members of a statutory health insurance fund themselves (e.g., insured through a spouse/partner or through their parents) but who are marginally employed receive maternity benefit of up to 210 euros from the Federal Office for Social Security and, if applicable, an employer supplement.

Parental allowance compensates for lost income during parental leave and helps secure the financial livelihood of families.

The amount depends on income in the 12 months before the child’s birth and generally averages around 65% of net income. Parents with low incomes may receive up to 100% of their lost net income. Parental allowance is also available if there was no previous employment — meaning students can also receive it.

Parental allowance is available in three variants: Basic Parental Allowance, Parental Allowance Plus, and the Partnership Bonus.

• Basic parental allowance can be claimed during the first 14 months of the child’s life if both parents apply.
• Parents can divide the months freely, with each parent receiving between 2 and 12 months.
• If only one parent applies, a maximum of 12 months can be claimed.
• Anyone working more than 32 hours per week is not eligible.

The parental allowance calculator and planner on the  family portal of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs helps estimate your entitlement. A detailed overview of parental allowance regulations is also available there.

All children are entitled to child benefit, regardless of parental income. It is paid monthly by the Family Benefits Office of the Federal Employment Agency. Young adults aged 18 to 25 may also receive Child benefit if they are in (vocational) training

Current payment amounts and further information can be found on the Employment Agency. The application can be submitted online after the birth.

Family Benefits Office service hotline: +49 (0)800 4 5555 30 (toll-free).

Parents with low incomes can apply for the child benefit supplement if their income is sufficient for themselves but not for the entire family. The BMFSFJ’s Federal Ministry of Family Affairs' Child Supplement Pilot helps determine whether an entitlement exists.

Federal Employment Agency

Housing allowance is available to people who cannot finance adequate housing on their own due to their income situation. Applications must be submitted in writing to the local housing allowance office, where forms and advice are also available. Housing allowance is not paid retroactively; it begins in the month the application is submitted.

The amount depends on:

• the number of people living in the household
• the household’s monthly income
• the amount of rent

People with low incomes can also apply for a Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS), which entitles them to move into publicly subsidized housing. Applications are submitted to the housing allowance office.

Housing Allowance Office Dortmund

Children living with a single parent who receive no or irregular maintenance from the other parent are entitled to maintenance advance.

There is no income limit for the single parent. A court decision on maintenance against the other parent is not required. If the other parent is fully or partially able to pay, he or she will be claimed by the state in the amount of the advance maintenance payment made.

• There is no income limit for the single parent.
• A court decision on maintenance is not required.
• If the other parent is able to pay, the state will reclaim the corresponding amount.

Applies as follows:

• Children up to age 12 can receive maintenance advance without time limit.
• Children aged 12 to 18 can also receive it if they are not dependent on SGB II benefits, or if the single parent receiving SGB II earns at least 600 euros gross.

Advance child support

The Federal Foundation "Mother and Child - Protection of Unborn Life"

supports pregnant women in financial emergencies, helping them continue their pregnancy. Assistance covers expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth, such as maternity clothing or initial baby equipment. There is no legal entitlement; benefits depend on the individual emergency and are income‑dependent.

Requirements:

• financial emergency
• existing pregnancy
• counseling at a pregnancy counseling center and application before birth
• residence or habitual abode in Germany

Applications can be submitted at Dortmund pregnancy counseling centers up to the 20th week of pregnancy.