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Finanzielle Leistungen fr Schwangere und Eltern (Englisch)

Financial benefits for pregnant women and parents

What kind of medical care I will get?
What is maternity allowance (Mutterschaftsgeld)?
How much parental allowance (Elterngeld) I will get?
Will I get child benefit (Kindergeld)?
What is children's allowance (Kinderzuschlag)?
Are there any more sources of financial assistance for families in need?
What kind of medical care I will get?
If you are insured with one of the statutory health insurance plans, it will pay for all your
antenatal check-ups listed in your maternity record (Mutterpass). It will also pay for your care
during your baby's birth and the postnatal period, for any medicines that you may need during
your pregnancy and it will cover your maternity pay. The usual fee at the doctors office is
waived for pregnancy-.related doctor visits.
After your baby is born you might even be eligible for medical care at home as well as some
assistance with domestic duties and housework. If you are pregnant and unemployed or on
benefits and do not have any insurance, you will receive these same benefits from your Social
Security Office (Sozialamt).

What is maternity allowance (Mutterschaftsgeld)?

Maternity allowance is compensation for your loss of earnings for a special period before and
after the birth of your baby. If you have statutory health insurance you will receive 13 Euros a
day. Your employer makes up the difference to the average of your net wage before you went
on maternity leave.
If you have private health insurance you might receive less money. Privately insured people
receive a one-time payment of 210 Euros from the Federal Insurance Office
(Bundesversicherungsamt) instead of a daily allowance.
If you are self-employed you will need to contact your insurer to find out if you will receive

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maternity pay. If you have a 400-Euro job you should contact the Federal Insurance Office
(Bundesversicherungsamt) to find out your entitlements.
If you are unemployed you should contact the Federal Employment Office (Bundesagentur fr
Arbeit) to find out if you're entitled to receive maternity allowance.
Maternity pay and employer contributions are tax free, but they count towards your taxable
earnings for the year. If you have statutory insurance, you don't have to make any
contributions during your maternity leave.
Pregnant women who are unemployed and those receiving benefits will receive a 17 per cent
increase in their payments from the time they are 12 weeks pregnant until their baby is born.
Single mothers, for example, receive 59 Euros a day.

How much parental allowance (Elterngeld) I will get?

After your baby is born, you can apply for parental allowance, if you:
are the one taking care of your child
do not work more than 30 hours per week
are sharing the same household with your child
are a permanent resident of Germany
If you are a citizen of Germany, Switzerland or the EU, or you have a settlement permit
(Niederlassungserlaubnis), you are entitled to receive parental allowance.
If you are from a country from outside these areas you must prove that you are living and
working in Germany permanently (voraussichtlich dauerhaft). In other words you will need to
show that you have been living in Germany for at least three years and are employed, or are
entitled to receive unemployment benefit.
Parental allowance works out at 67 per cent of your average income for the last twelve months.
The maximum allowance is 1800 Euros, the minimum is 300 Euros, which students and the
unemployed are also entitled to receive.
If you earn less than 1000 Euros per month you will get additional financial support. Depending
on your level of income, parental allowance may pay you up to 100 per cent of your income.
One parent can apply for parental allowance for a maximum of 12 months. The other parent
can apply for two additional months providing that he or she works less than 30 hours a week
or does not work during this time. Single parents can receive parental allowance for 14 months.
You should ask for the form to apply for parental allowance in your last weeks of pregnancy at
your local Parental Office (Erziehungsgeldstelle) so that you can send it in right after your baby
is born. You will have to attach a copy of your babys birth certificate.

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Will I get child benefit (Kindergeld)?

If you are a German citizen, an EU citizen or a citizen of Switzerland, Serbia, Montenegro,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Turkey you are entitled to child
benefit (Kindergeld) if you have a job in which you have to pay unemployment insurance or are
on unemployment benefits or sick pay. Also eligible are citizens from all other countries who
have a permanent permit of stay or a residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis or
Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
You can get child benefit for every child under 18, and sometimes for older children if they are
still living at home.
You may receive children's allowance (Kinderfreibetrag bei der Steuerklrung) instead of the
child benefit. The Finance Office (Finanzamt) will work out automatically what is better for you.

What is children's allowance (Kinderzuschlag)?

If you are on a low income you can apply for childrens allowance of up to 140 Euros per
month for six months. You will need to apply to the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) of
the German Federal Employment Agency (der Agentur fr Arbeit).
Since 1 October 2008 the monthly income limit to receive children's allowance is 900 Euros for
a couple and 600 Euros for a single parent. If you earn more than those limits, your allowance
will be adjusted accordingly. (For every additional 1 Euro earned, fifty cents are subtracted
from the allowance). The value of your assets and any child support payments you receive will
also affect your payments.
Parents who receive social security benefits or category II unemployment benefits aren't
entitled to children's allowance.

Are there any more sources of financial assistance for families in need?
Parents who receive social security benefits or who are unemployed can apply to their local
social security office for a one-off payment to help pay for their antenatal care and baby
equipment.
Families and single parents on low income can also apply for housing allowance. Tenants are
entitled to a rent subsidy (Mietzuschuss). Homeowners can also receive financial
compensation for their expenses (Lastenzuschuss). The amount of financial help depends on
your income. Contact the offices of your local city, county or municipality council for more
information.
Financial help for pregnant women who are in an emergency situation (Notlagen) is also
available from the Federal Foundation: "Mother and Child - protection of unborn life". You can

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get more information about this foundation from your local office for pregnancy help and
consultation (Schwangerschaftsberatung).
For local addresses please contact the Federal Ministry for Families (Bundesministeriums fr
Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend)
Dienststelle Bonn
Rochusstrae 8 - 10
53123 Bonn
Tel: 0228/930-2742
e-mail: [email protected]

Stand: Januar 2009

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