Child supplement

In some families, money is tight. If the parents' income is not sufficient to provide for the whole family, there is a monthly supplement from the state in addition to child benefit. You can find out in which cases you can receive the child supplement and how to apply for it here.

Text last updated: 2024-07-09

Apply now

You can apply for child supplement online on the Federal Employment Agency website:


There you will also find the KiZ-Lotsen, which you can use to check whether you meet the eligibility requirements for the child supplement.

This is where I can turn to

The local family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency is responsible for the child supplement.

You can find the family benefits office responsible for you and the relevant contact details via the service finder of the Federal Employment Agency.

If you have a question about the child supplement, you can also contact the service hotline of the Federal Employment Agency:

  • Call 0800 4 5555 30
  • Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 18:00
  • The call is free of charge

Simply explained

What is the child supplement?

The child supplement is financial support for families with low incomes. You can receive the child supplement if your income is not enough or only just enough for the whole family.

How much is the child supplement?

From January 2024, you will receive up to 292 euros child supplement per child from the family benefits office. The more income a family has, the less they are dependent on state support. This is why the supplement decreases as your income increases until it expires.

The calculation also takes your children's income into account, for example if your children receive maintenance, advance maintenance or a half-orphan's pension.

How long is the child supplement paid for?

The child supplement is granted for 6 months at a time. After 6 months, you must submit a new application.

This is still important

What additional benefits are associated with the supplementary child allowance?

If you receive supplementary child allowance, you can be exempted from the daycare fees.

In addition, you can receive benefits for your child from the so-called education and participation package. To do this, you must submit a separate application to your city, municipality or district.

Where can you find more information on the child allowance?


The Family Benefits Office offers a video consultation, which you can use to ask questions about the child supplement from home. You can book an appointment for a video consultation online.

Check claim

Who can receive a child supplement?

The payment of the child supplement is linked to certain requirements. To be entitled to child supplement, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You receive child benefit for your child
    • .
  • Your child lives in your household, is younger than 25 and is not married.
  • You earn a minimum income yourself:
    • As a parent couple, you earn at least 900 euros gross.
    • If you are a single parent, you earn at least 600 euros gross.
  • You do not receive unemployment benefit II.


Child benefit and housing benefit do not count towards the minimum income.

Only 45 percent of maintenance payments or advance maintenance payments count towards the child supplement. It is therefore also worth applying if you are a single parent and have a low income.

You can easily check whether you meet the requirements for the child supplement with the KiZ-Lotsen from the Federal Employment Agency.

What I need

You must provide evidence of your income and assets. The exact documents required can be found in the application.

This must be observed

The child supplement is granted for 6 months. After the 6 months have expired, you must submit a new application.

The child supplement is not paid retroactively, but at the earliest from the month of application.

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