Parental allowance
All information about parental allowance at a glance.
Apply for parental allowance onlineEverything you need to know at a glance
The first time with a baby needs to be well planned - also financially. What options does parental allowance offer? Find out about the different types of parental allowance and check how much parental allowance you can receive. As a precaution, check whether you meet all the requirements to receive parental allowance. Then you can take your time to plan and put together the parental allowance model that suits your life. If you want to work and receive parental allowance at the same time: You can also find the most important details here.
Have you made your plans? Then you can start by completing the online application! You can also prepare and save the online application at your leisure before your child is born. If you still have questions: We will show you the way to the offices that will be happy to help you.
If your child is expected to be born from April 1, 2024, please note the information on the new regulations for parental allowance that will come into force from this date. These changes have already been taken into account in the online application. The paper application for births from April 1, 2024 is now also available for download.
What is parental allowance?
Parental allowance replaces part of the lost income if you want to be there for your child after the birth and work less or not at all for a while. Even if you had no income before the birth, you can still receive parental allowance.
What types of parental allowance are available?
Parental allowance is available in three variants: basic parental allowance, parental allowance plus and partnership bonus. You can combine the variants with each other.
- 1. Basic parental allowanceYou can receive basic parental allowance for 12 months. If the other parent also stays at home for at least 2 months, the payment is extended by 2 months to a total of 14 months. Single parents can receive parental allowance for a maximum of 14 months. You can extend the period of basic parental allowance for children born particularly early.
As a rule, basic parental allowance amounts to 67% of the average net earnings of the last 12 months, with a minimum of 300 and a maximum of 1,800 euros per month.
You can only receive basic parental allowance within the first 14 months of your child's life. You can freely divide the months of entitlement between both parents. Each parent can use between 2 and 12 months.
While you are receiving basic parental allowance, you can work part-time, up to a maximum of 32 hours per week. - 2. Parental allowance plusWould you like to combine family and career and work up to 32 hours a week? Then it may be worth taking advantage of 2 months of Parental Allowance Plus instead of 1 month of Basic Parental Allowance. You can receive Parental Allowance Plus for twice as long as Basic Parental Allowance. However, it is only half as high and amounts to between 150 and 900 euros per month.
Parental Allowance Plus is particularly worthwhile for parents who return to work early after the birth of their child: If you have income from gainful employment in addition to parental allowance, the monthly Parental Allowance Plus can also be higher than half of the monthly basic parental allowance. Nevertheless, you can receive Parental Allowance Plus for twice as long. This means you are entitled to more parental allowance in total. - 3. Partnership bonusIf both parents work between 24 and 32 hours per week part-time at the same time, you are entitled to up to four additional months of Parental Allowance Plus, the so-called partnership bonus. The partnership bonus is an offer for parents who share their family and work responsibilities.
Parents can apply for the partnership bonus for a minimum of two and a maximum of four months. Single parents are entitled to the entire partnership bonus.
It is not necessary for you to work part-time to exactly this extent every single week. The decisive factor is how many hours per week you work on average in the month in question. This depends on the hours you actually work.
To receive the partnership bonus, state in the application how many partnership bonus months you want to take and over which months you want to spread them.
Further information on parental allowance
Amount of parental allowance
How much is the parental allowance and how is it calculated?
Requirements
What you need to know about eligibility
.
Plan parental allowance
This is what you should know to plan your parental allowance well
.
Working during parental allowance
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the time during which you receive parental benefits.
New regulation of parental allowance
What will change on April 1, 2024? Answers to frequently asked questions.
Where can I find help and advice?
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the districts and independent cities are responsible for processing parental allowance. They can also advise you on all matters relating to parental leave. You can find the parental allowance office responsible for you at chancen.NRW by entering your zip code.
Parental leave
Parental leave offers mothers and fathers the opportunity to take unpaid time off work to look after their child. Parental leave and parental allowance are therefore not the same thing. However, it is often practical to combine them. You can find more information on why exactly here. Who can take parental leave and what does it mean to be on parental leave? You can find answers to these and other important questions about parental leave here. We also show you what you need to bear in mind when applying for parental leave.
Similar services
Child benefit
Child benefit is paid to all families, regardless of their income. It is paid from birth until at least the child's 18th birthday. Under certain conditions, child benefit is available until the 25th birthday.
Child supplement
In some families, money is tight. If the parents' income is not enough to provide well for the entire family, there is a monthly supplement from the state in addition to child benefit. In which cases you get the child supplement and how you can apply for it, you can find out here.
Maternity benefits
During the maternity protection periods, (expectant) mothers are under special legal protection. Before and after the birth, they are not allowed to work for a certain period of time. The Maternity Protection Act ensures that mothers do not suffer any financial disadvantage during this time. Employees receive up to 100 percent of their previous net income, consisting of maternity pay and an employer allowance.
Submit an applicationParental allowance
Forms and notesParental allowance
Further informationYou might also be interested in
There are a few things to think about and take care of before and after the birth. The following list will give you an overview of the most important formalities that you need to take care of before and after the birth.
Until the little ones grow up, there are many expenses. There are various tax breaks for families to ease the burden on their finances.
Some mothers and fathers only want to take a short career break after the birth of their child and then quickly return to work. What options do parents with children have for returning to work and what do they need to think about? We have compiled the most important information for you.