From 1st January 2020, due to the removal of the higher income thresholds, a greater number of parents are now to entitled to Kinderzuschlag, or extra money for each dependent child. Parents can receive up to 185 euros more each month.
New rules governing Kindergeld family allowance are already effective. Many parents who work in Germany and are beneficiaries of the Kindergeld family allowance can now receive extra money every month.
Kinderzuschlag is paid together with Kindergeld.
Do you earn enough to take care of yourself, but it isn’t enough for the whole family? In this case you can apply for family allowances. It doesn’t matter if you are a single parent or are raising your children together with your partner.
The Kinderzuschlag allowance as well as the Kindergeld family allowance and the Wohngeld housing allowance are meant to you cover the necessary expenses for your child/children.
What is Kinderzuschlag?
The Kinderzuschlag is an additional allowance for dependent children. All parents who receive Kindergeld family allowance are entitled to Kinderzuschlag. The amount of Kinderzuschlag depends on the family income. The higher the parental income, the lower the amount. Parents whose income is sufficient to cover their needs, but not those of their children can get up to 185 euros per month for each dependent child.
Who is entitled to Kinderzuschlag allowance?
New rules on Kinderzuschlag allowance entered into force on 1st January 2020. There are no longer maximum income thresholds, which means that families with higher incomes can also receive the additional allowance. This is who is entitles to apply:
- parents who work in Germany
- parents who have children who are not married and are below 25 years of age and live in their household
- parents who are receiving child benefit (Kindergeld) for these children
- the parents whose monthly income reaches the minimum income level of 900 euros for parent couples and 600 euros for single parents
Who is not entitled to get Kinderzuschlag?
Unemployed parents who receive the Hartz IV social allowance (Arbeitslosengeld II) are not entitled to receive this supplementary allowance.
How to apply for Kinderzuschlag
From 1st February 2020, applications for Kinderzuschlag can also be submitted online. The amount of the additional Kinderzschlag allowance depends on several factors, including family income, rental costs that the family has to bear and the age of the children.
The maximum amount of the Kinderzschlag supplementary allowance is 185 euros. If you earn more than the maximum income thresholds, the child allowance is reduced accordingly. This also applies if the child has their own income. You will receive the child allowance regardless of this.
Here are some examples of who can get the extra allowance
Example 1: Single parent who pays a monthly rent of about 490 euros, with a monthly income ranging from 1300 to 2000 euros (gross). The child is 6 years old.
Example 2: A couple with a monthly income ranging from 1,600 to 3,300 euros (gross), pays a monthly rent of about 690 euros and have two children aged 8 and 6 years.
Example 3: A couple with a monthly income ranging between 1,500 and 4,200 euros (gross), pays a monthly rent of 990 euros and have three children aged 10, 8 and 6 years.
For further information, you can call the toll free number of Familienkasse on 0800 4555530 or click here to download the Child Benefit leaflet published by the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse).