👨👩👧 Child benefit and child supplement (Kindergeld and Kinderzuschlag)
In brief
Child benefit (Kindergeld) is generally due to all parents regardless of income and is paid monthly by the Familienkasse (family benefits office) of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) (or, for public service employees, in some cases by the salary office). Families with their own, but low, income who cannot get out of need through child benefit alone can additionally apply for child supplement (Kinderzuschlag) to avoid receiving basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) for the whole family.
Step by step
- Apply for child benefitSubmit the child benefit application informally or via the Familienkasse online portal, as soon as possible after the birth – child benefit is paid retroactively only for a limited time.
- Submit the birth certificateSubmit the birth certificate and, where applicable, further proof (e.g. for children over 18 in training) to the Familienkasse.
- Check your income situationUse the Familienkasse's child supplement calculator to check whether your income qualifies for an additional child supplement.
- Apply for child supplement separatelyIf the result is positive, submit a separate application for child supplement to the Familienkasse; it is generally granted for 6 months at a time.
Deadlines
- The exact amount of monthly child benefit and of the maximum child supplement have been adjusted regularly in recent years (including increases to match the tax-free subsistence minimum). You will find reliable, current amounts at familienkasse.de or arbeitsagentur.de – a specific euro sum is deliberately not given here so as not to spread an outdated figure.
- For single parents receiving advance maintenance payments (Unterhaltsvorschuss), these are partly offset against maintenance payments from the other parent, not directly against child benefit – for details on advance maintenance payments and the relief amount for single parents see the guide "Single mothers".
- Child supplement and housing benefit (Wohngeld) can exclude or complement each other, depending on the household situation – if in doubt, get individual advice before deciding on a benefit.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Child benefit: legal basis
Child benefit is paid either as a tax benefit (§§ 62 ff. EStG) or under the Bundeskindergeldgesetz (BKGG); in practice it is paid out by the Familienkassen monthly in advance, and the tax comparison calculation (child benefit vs. child tax allowance) is carried out automatically as part of the income tax assessment (more-favourable-treatment test, § 31 EStG).
Child supplement
The child supplement under § 6a BKGG is aimed at parents whose own income covers their own needs but not those of their children, so that the family as a whole would otherwise depend on basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld). It is calculated on a sliding scale according to the parents' income and assets and is meant, together with child benefit and, where applicable, housing benefit, to cover the child-related needs so that the family does not have to fall into basic income support (principle of subsidiarity, see also the guide "Unemployed people", topic child supplement).
Relationship to benefits for single parents
Single parents can additionally claim advance maintenance payments (Unterhaltsvorschuss) (if the other parent does not pay maintenance) and the tax relief amount for single parents. These benefits are not the subject of this general guide, but are covered in depth in the separate guide "Single mothers".
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