👩‍👧 Wegweiser Single Mothers

15 topic pages for single mothers (and fathers) in Germany and for anyone who advises them. Each page first explains the topic briefly and clearly – and below that in detail, with deadlines, legal bases and figures.

How this page works. At the top you can search all topics by keyword. Each topic page begins with the section In brief in plain language. Below it you will find Step by step, the most important deadlines, typical mistakes under Watch out and an expandable specialist section "In depth" for advisory work with legal bases and figures.

As of September 2026. "Bürgergeld" has been officially called "Grundsicherungsgeld" since 1 July 2026 (Thirteenth Act Amending the Second Book of the Social Code and Other Acts, BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 107 of 22 April 2026); these pages therefore use both terms. Where a figure could not be verified beyond doubt from official sources (e.g. individual euro amounts such as the exact advance maintenance payment amounts, the exact maximum child supplement amount or current Düsseldorf Table rates), this is expressly noted on the relevant page and in the Sources and Methodology instead of being guessed. The information does not replace legal advice.

Frequently searched

💶 Advance maintenance payment (UVG) 📋 Enforcing child maintenance 💰 Single parent tax relief (Entlastungsbetrag) ➕ Additional needs allowance for single parents in basic income support 🧒 Daycare place and childcare ⚖️ Custody and contact rights 👨‍👧 Child supplement (Kinderzuschlag) 📞 Advice and contact points

All topic areas

🧭Overview and basicsGetting started: your rights as a single parent at a glance.1 topic 💶Maintenance for the childApplying for advance maintenance payment and enforcing child maintenance.2 topics 💰Tax and family benefitsSingle parent tax relief and child supplement.2 topics 🏠Basic income support and housingBasic income support, additional needs allowance, housing benefit and finding housing.4 topics 👨‍👩‍👧Children, childcare and custodyDaycare place, custody and contact rights.2 topics 💼Work and everyday lifeBalancing work and family, child's illness.2 topics 📉Debt and legal protectionDebt, protection from attachment and enforcement of maintenance.1 topic 📞Advice and contact pointsWho helps with which concern.1 topic

🧭 Overview and basics

Getting started: your rights as a single parent at a glance.

🧭Rights and support at a glanceWhich benefits exist for single parents, who is responsible for them and how the individual systems work together.

💶 Maintenance for the child

Applying for advance maintenance payment and enforcing child maintenance.

💶Advance maintenance payment (UVG)If the other parent pays no maintenance or too little, the Jugendamt pays an advance – until your child's 18th birthday. 📋Enforcing child maintenanceDemand information, have maintenance formally established and, if necessary, enforce it – this is how you enforce your child's claim.

💰 Tax and family benefits

Single parent tax relief and child supplement.

💰Single parent tax relief (Entlastungsbetrag)If you live alone with a child, you pay less tax – via tax class II or with your tax return. 👨‍👧Child supplement (Kinderzuschlag)If your income covers yourself but not the children, the child supplement can make basic income support unnecessary.

🏠 Basic income support and housing

Basic income support, additional needs allowance, housing benefit and finding housing.

📝Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, Bürgergeld) for single parentsSince 1 July 2026 the Bürgergeld has officially been called "Grundsicherungsgeld". As a single parent you are additionally entitled to an additional needs allowance. ➕Additional needs allowance for single parents in basic income supportIf you receive basic income support as a single parent, you get an additional needs allowance on top of the standard rate – the amount depends on the age and number of children. 🏠Housing benefit (Wohngeld) for single parentsHousing benefit is a rent subsidy for households with income above the basic income support level – often, together with child supplement, the key to managing without the Jobcenter. 🔑Finding housing as a single parentLooking for a home with a child is often harder. A housing entitlement certificate, protection against discrimination and municipal priority rules can help.

👨‍👩‍👧 Children, childcare and custody

Daycare place, custody and contact rights.

🧒Daycare place and childcareFrom their first birthday, children have a legal entitlement to a childcare place – from the 2026/2027 school year also to all-day care at primary school. ⚖️Custody and contact rightsWho has parental custody and how contact with the other parent is regulated – the most important basics from the BGB.

💼 Work and everyday life

Balancing work and family, child's illness.

💼Balancing work and familyRight to part-time work, parental leave and protection against dismissal: these employment-law tools can help bring job and childcare together. 🩺Child's illness and time off workIf your child falls ill, as a single parent you are entitled to twice as many child sick days as couples – for 2026 a temporary increase also applies.

📉 Debt and legal protection

Debt, protection from attachment and enforcement of maintenance.

📉Debt and single parentsSingle parents are affected by over-indebtedness more often than average. Debt counselling, protection from attachment and personal insolvency help break the spiral.

📞 Advice and contact points

Who helps with which concern.

📞Advice and contact pointsWho is responsible for what – and where can you get independent support as a single parent?

For reference

📕Keyword indexAll terms from A to Z, with links to the matching topic pages. 📜Sources and methodWhere the information comes from and what is expressly uncertain. 🏠Other target groupsTo the overview of all Wegweiser portals.

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.