Benefits

! Benefits: the key facts

1. 01

   Wohngeld (housing benefit)

   A subsidy towards rent (or the costs of owner-occupied housing) for low-income households. Apply at your city's or district's housing benefit office; it's paid from the month you apply.

   WoGG

2. 02

   Kinderzuschlag (child supplement)

   A monthly supplement per child for parents who earn enough for themselves but not for the whole family. Apply at the family benefits office (Familienkasse), usually online.

   § 6a BKGG

3. 03

   Kindergeld (child benefit)

   The Familienkasse pays child benefit for every child up to 18 – up to 25 during training or university. Back payments are limited to six months, so apply early.

   EStG § 62 ff.

4. 04

   Basic income support

   If you can't cover your living costs, you receive basic income support from the job centre (if able to work) or the social welfare office (in old age or with reduced earning capacity).

5. 05

   Unterhaltsvorschuss (maintenance advance)

   If the other parent pays no or too little maintenance, the youth welfare office pays an advance – for children up to 18.

   UVG

6. 06

   BAföG

   Students and pupils from low-income families receive BAföG – partly as a grant, partly as an interest-free loan. Apply at the student finance office, also online.

   BAföG

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