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Parental Allowance in Germany:
How to Apply and Who is Eligible?
Parental allowance (Elterngeld) is financial support that families in Germany can receive after the birth of a child. This government aid program is designed to support parents who temporarily suspend or reduce their employment to care for their newborn child. In this article, we explain who is entitled to parental allowance and how to apply for it.
Who is eligible for Parental Allowance?
Parental allowance is available to the following groups of people:
– Parents of newborn children, including biological and adoptive parents.
– People residing in Germany, regardless of their nationality, provided they are permanently resident in Germany and care for the child.
– Employed people who reduce their working hours or temporarily suspend their activity to care for their child. This includes both employees and self-employed people.
– Students and unemployed people can also apply for parental allowance if they care for their child and do not work more than 30 hours per week.
How to Apply for Parental Allowance?
Applying for parental allowance involves several steps:
– Collect Required Documents. Prepare all necessary documents, including: birth certificate of the child, income statements of the parents, proof of professional activity, registration certificate of residence.
– Fill Out the Application. The application for parental allowance must be submitted in writing. You can obtain the corresponding forms from the responsible youth welfare office or download them from the official website of your federal state.
– Submit the Application. The completed application, together with the required documents, is submitted to the responsible parental allowance office. Submission can be done in person, by post or – if available – via an online portal.
– Wait for Processing Time. After submitting the application, you have to wait for processing. The processing time varies depending on the federal state, but usually takes several weeks.
Important Notes and Tips
- Application Deadline
The application for parental allowance should be submitted as early as possible after the birth of the child. The maximum deadline is three months from the date of birth. - Calculation of the Amount of Parental Allowance
The amount of parental allowance depends on the previous income of the caring parent and is between 300 and 1,800 euros per month. The basis for the calculation is the last 12 months before the birth of the child. - Duration of Payments
The regular entitlement period for parental allowance is 12 months. However, it can be extended to 14 months if both parents share the care of the child.
Benefits and Support
Parental allowance offers families in Germany valuable financial support to be able to care for their newborn child without significant loss of income. If you know the requirements and submit the application correctly, you can make the best possible use of this benefit.