Single parents are often under particular financial pressure – but there are numerous benefits that can make everyday life noticeably easier. This article provides a concise overview of the support options available and where those affected can find help.
Basic benefits for children: child benefit, child allowance, parental benefit
For many single parents, it is a relief to know that there are a number of basic services that help to secure the care of their children, regardless of their individual life situation. A central component is child benefit: It is paid to the parent with whom the child lives and reduces the maintenance obligation of the other parent – this is pointed out by the German Press Agency (dpa) in an overview of financial help for single parents. If your own income is enough to support yourself but not for the entire family, you can also apply for child allowance. This is also approved for a certain period of time and must be reapplied for regularly.
Parental allowance is also important for single parents. It is intended to make it possible to reduce or temporarily suspend paid work in the first months of the child’s life. The family portal of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs explains that single parents can also use certain additional months alone, which are otherwise linked to the participation of both parents, provided the requirements are met. In addition, services for education and participation are available. They support children, for example, with school materials, school trips or lunch in daycare and school and, according to the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, they take effect when benefits such as citizen’s benefit, child allowance or housing benefit are already being received.
Special relief for single parents: tax, additional needs and sick days
In addition to the general family benefits, there are financial reliefs that are specifically tailored to the situation of single parents. An important component is the tax relief amount, which, according to the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, cushions the higher costs of a single-parent household. The prerequisites are, among other things, tax class II and that no other adult person living in the household is living in the household.
For single parents who receive citizen’s benefit, there is another component: additional needs. It is granted in addition to the regular rate and depends on the age and number of children. The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs explains that this supplement is intended to help take the special situation of single-parent families into account.
In addition to tax and social law relief, child sickness benefit also plays an important role. If a child falls ill and care is not possible, single parents can receive child sickness benefit for a limited number of days, which compensates for a large part of the lost net wage.
In addition, mother or father-child treatments can offer important relief. The family portal emphasizes that single parents may be entitled to appropriate preventive and rehabilitation measures due to the high physical and psychological strain of being solely responsible.
Maintenance, maintenance advances & protection in the event of separation or death
If a separation occurs, many single parents are faced with the question of how financial responsibility for the child will be regulated in the future. Child support plays a central role here. As the dpa explains, it depends on the income of the parent liable for maintenance and the age of the child; The Düsseldorf table is often used for orientation. If a single parent is unable to work in the first years of the child’s life, for example because care is not possible, additional childcare support can be claimed.
If the other parent does not pay maintenance or only pays it irregularly, the maintenance advance can help. The youth welfare offices are usually responsible. The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs describes that this advance is paid out staggered according to age groups and, in the case of orphans, an existing orphan’s pension is taken into account.
Long-term security also plays a major role. In the event of a divorce, pension equalization ensures that pension rights acquired during the marriage are shared. In the event of the death of a parent, survivor benefits also apply. The family portal points out that widows’, widowers’ and orphans’ pensions depend on factors such as the length of the marriage or the age of the children and are applied for through the German pension insurance.
Finally, the youth welfare offices offer important support. The family portal explains that they provide advice on asserting maintenance claims, determine the other parent’s income, calculate maintenance and, if necessary, represent the child in legal proceedings.
Housing, livelihood security & advice in the “funding jungle”
When it comes to housing, single parents quickly come under pressure, as high housing costs hit single-parent households particularly hard. The dpa describes that housing benefit can be an important relief if rent or housing costs are too high in relation to income. Anyone who lives in their own property can receive a burden subsidy under certain conditions. The amount of support depends, among other things, on the number of children, income and regional rent limits.
If the income is not enough despite working, single parents can apply for citizen’s benefit. The dpa points out that child benefit, maintenance and maintenance advances are considered and taken into account as the child’s income. A simultaneous combination with housing benefit or child allowance is not possible.
To make it easier to return to work after a longer family phase, there are also activation and placement vouchers. These vouchers are issued by the employment agency or the job center and can finance measures such as application training or further education.
In addition to financial benefits, the right advice plays a crucial role. The family portal, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and organizations such as Caritas, Diakonie, Arbeiterwohlfahrt and the Association of Single Mothers and Fathers form a broad support network that helps you navigate the “funding jungle”, submit applications or clarify maintenance claims.
Editorial team finanzen.net
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