Overview of additional benefits for living allowances for children
Additional benefits that complement the living allowance help low-income families cope with high housing costs. Benefits such as the child supplement and the education and participation package ensure that children and young adults receive a good education and have the opportunity to get involved in the community.
These programs help cover the costs of school supplies and lunches. They also finance school trips and leisure activities. In this way, parents can offer their children more opportunities.
What is living allowance for?
The main purpose of the living allowance is to support households with low incomes and high housing costs. This support provides families with the assistance they need so that both children and adults can live in safe and adequate housing without excessive financial pressure.
Living allowance is available to any household with an income. However, if the income is lower than the basic requirement for citizens' allowance, citizens' allowance must usually be applied for as a supplement.
Additional programs for children increase the benefits of living allowance. The child supplement in combination with the education package makes the support even more effective. These programs focus not only on making housing more affordable, but also on promoting cultural integration, education, and activities for children.
Please note: Child supplement and the education package are usually available if you receive living allowance. If you are entitled to citizens' allowance, you can only receive the education package. Child supplement is not available with citizens' allowance, as additional needs for children are already taken into account.
Additional services specifically for families with children
Help beyond the living allowance? Families with children can benefit from child supplement. This program is aimed at parents who can afford basic necessities but need additional money for their children's needs. Starting in January 2025, families can receive up to €297 per month for each child if they meet certain requirements.
The education and participation package is another important form of support for children's education and culture. It covers school-related costs, such as school trips, school supplies, tutoring, and activities such as music lessons or membership in a sports club. Families who meet the requirements can also receive lunch and learning support for their students.
These programs not only reduce costs but also help to give children a better future. They focus on events such as school trips and promote cultural and social engagement. The child supplement and education package work together to create new opportunities for families. They help to transform affordable housing into a better life for families.
This is part of the education and participation package
Benefits for education and participation include:
Day trips with school, daycare, or daycare center
Multi-day class and group trips as part of school, daycare, or daycare center
195 euros per school year for school supplies such as notebooks, backpacks, or pens
Coverage of the cost of a public transportation ticket for students—even if the ticket is used privately
Financial support for tutoring – even if there is no immediate risk of failing a grade
Free lunch at school, daycare, after-school care, or daycare
A monthly lump sum of 15 euros for leisure activities such as sports clubs or music lessons
Requirements for receiving child allowance or education package
Who is eligible for additional benefits such as child allowance or the education package? This depends on the household's circumstances, in particular income and family size. There are rules in place to ensure that only those who deserve these benefits receive them. This helps to ensure fairness for all applicants.
The education package is generally available to families who receive living allowance and child allowance or citizens' allowance. The child supplement is calculated per child and based on the income of the parents and the child, but cannot exceed 297 euros per child. In addition, the family structure is used to check whether recipients of living allowance really need help.
Overall, these rules support targeted access to additional benefits for children in the form of living allowance and ensure greater social justice.
Income limits and calculation bases for a subsidy
Authorities look at income to calculate the amount of support. To qualify for child allowance, couples must currently earn at least €900 gross per month. Single parents need a minimum of €600 gross.
The education package is granted separately. There are no fixed limits for this.
Living allowance is calculated using a complex formula that takes into account rent, income, and household size. As a general rule, the higher the rent, the larger the household, and the lower the income, the more living allowance is granted. However, this only applies as long as the income does not fall below the citizen's income requirement threshold.
Living situation and family structure
The living situation plays a central role in determining entitlement to living allowance and additional benefits for children. The decisive factor here is who lives in the household—for example, whether both parents, a single parent, or other relatives live with the child.
Careful examination is also important in more complex living arrangements, such as blended families or parents living separately. This ensures that support is distributed fairly and that no benefits are unjustifiably lost.
It is precisely in such cases that it becomes clear how important well-coordinated additional benefits for children's living allowances are in order to ensure fair opportunities for all children.
