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claim parental benefit

Have you become a mother or father? Then you are probably entitled to parental allowance. On this page you will find a lot of information and forms on the subject of parental allowance.

Basisinformationen

Parental allowance is a benefit for parents of infants and young children. It replaces part of the lost income if you want to be there for your child after the birth and interrupt or limit your professional work. It is not paid for calendar months, but for months of the child's life. The first month of life begins on the day of birth. Parental allowance is also available for parents who had no income before the birth.

There are three types of parental allowance:

  1. Basic parental allowance
  2. Parental allowance plus
  3. Partnership bonus

Parental allowance plus and the partnership bonus provide special support if you share the work and family responsibilities after the birth. You can also apply for the various options if you are a single parent. Parental allowance is also available for adopted children and children in adoptive care.

As parents, you can decide for yourself who will claim the parental allowance and for which period. In the application, you must specify for which months of your child's life you would like to claim parental allowance and which parental allowance variant you choose.

Parental allowance can be claimed from the day of the child's birth until the child reaches 14 months of age.
Parents of particularly prematurely born children receive additional parental allowance months for births after 01.09.2021. Depending on how early the child is born, parents will receive parental allowance for up to four months longer:

  • Born at least 6 weeks before the calculated date = 1 additional month of basic parental allowance.
  • Born at least 8 weeks before the calculated date = 2 additional months of basic parental allowance
  • Born at least 12 weeks before the calculated date = 3 additional months of basic parental allowance
  • Born at least 16 weeks before the calculated date = 4 additional months of basic parental allowance

The additional basic parental allowance months can also be converted into parental allowance plus months. You can find more information on this under the heading "Frequently asked questions".

The amount of the parental allowance is calculated individually. The calculation is based on the income you had before the birth and which ceases after the birth. If you had no income at all before the birth or if no income ceases after the birth, you will receive a minimum amount. In the case of the basic parental allowance, this is at least 300.00 EUR per month.

If there are additional children living in the household, a sibling bonus is paid under certain conditions. In the case of a multiple birth, the entitlement increases by 300.00 EUR; the sibling bonus is no longer available in this case. You can find more information on the calculation of parental allowance under "Further information" - "Where can I find out more" - "Parental allowance - calculation".

Tip: As an aid to planning and calculation, you can use the parental allowance calculator of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs. You can find the link for the parental allowance calculator under "Further information" - "Where can I find out more".

Voraussetzungen

Parental allowance is claimed for months of the child's life. In principle, the eligibility requirements must be met in each of the months applied for from the beginning.

You can receive parental allowance if you meet the following requirements:

  • You care for and raise your child yourself.
  • You have a residence in Germany or usually stay here.
  • You live with your child in a joint household.
  • For births before 01.09.2021: You are not employed for more than 30 hours a week.
  • For births after 01.09.2021: You are not employed for more than 32 hours a week.
  • There are several peculiarities in the limit of 32 hours per week, for example, if you are on vacation or if you are studying or training.
  • Your taxable income did not exceed 250,000 euros. For parent couples, the limit is usually EUR 300,000.

Exceptions in the case of foreign employment, especially secondments, should be noted.

Spouses or partners who take care of the child after birth - even if it is not their own - can receive parental allowance under the same conditions.

Welche Unterlagen benötige ich?

  • Proof of income for self-employment
    • In the case of self-employment, the tax assessment notice for the year before the birth of the child serves as proof of income. In the case of loss of income in this assessment period (e.g. pregnancy-related illnesses), the previous assessment period will be taken as a basis upon application.
    • If compulsory social security contributions are paid, proof of this is also required. A declaration on the continuation of the activity in the reference period is also required. If the activity is shut down/restricted, a replacement is hired, existing staff takes on additional tasks, etc.. If necessary, an estimate of the expected income in the reference period is also necessary. After the end of the reference period, the final calculation of the amount of entitlement is made.
  • Salary statements
    • if the mother is not self-employed: from the 14 months before the birth
    • in the case of the father's employment: from the 12 months preceding the birth

    The statements of account may also be submitted as copies.

  • Certificate of maternity pay, statement from the employer for the calculation of the maternity pay supplement from the health insurance company
  • Certificate of employment
  • Copy of the residence permit
  • Proof of mixed income (income from self-employment and employment)
    • If there is income from non-self-employed and self-employed activities in the 12 months before birth or in the year before birth, the income from both activities from the calendar year before the year of birth is used.
  • Certificate of birth
    • with the purpose of use "to apply for parental allowance", in the case of multiple births for each child.
  • Evidence of the particularly early birth
    • by a medical certificate or a certificate from a midwife or maternity nurse.
  • Application form
  • Depending on your individual situation, further documents may be required. You will find further information in the application documents.

Verfahren

If you live in Bremen, you can submit your application for parental allowance online or in writing. It is currently not possible to submit it in person at the Elterngeld office due to the Corona pandemic.

Online application:

Application Service ElterngeldDigital:

  • The application and the required supporting documents can be submitted directly and easily via the digital application service ElterngeldDigital.
  • The application service ElterngeldDigital guides you through the questions with the help of an assistant.
  • You can also digitally sign the application with your electronic ID card and when using a Bund user account.
  • This allows you to do everything from the comfort of your own home. You can find the online service under "Further information" - "Online service" - "ElterngeldDigital".

Pilot project Online Service ELFE (Simply Benefits for Parents): Currently only available to a limited group of users.

  • Using a combined application, you can apply here for name determination, child allowance and parental allowance in a bundled, simple and online way.
  • You only have to enter your data once and, with your consent, the registry office and the parental allowance office will exchange birth data electronically. At the same time, you can consent to your salary data being automatically retrieved by your employer and transmitted to the responsible parental allowance office by means of the pension insurance data office. As a result, you will no longer need to send paper certificates to the parental allowance office.
  • The ELFE online service is a pilot project under the Online Access Act and is currently only available to a restricted target group.
  • You can find the online service and information on whether you belong to the target group under "Further information" - "Online service" - "Simply benefits for parents (ELFE)".

Written application:

  • Send the application to the Office for Social Services, Elterngeldstelle, Hans-Böckler-Straße 9 in 28217 Bremen (Volkshaus) or use the mailbox there.
  • If both parents basically meet the requirements for parental allowance, the application must also be signed by both of them. The enclosures, as described in the application form, should be attached if possible.

Rechtsgrundlagen

Weitere Hinweise

Pandemic Information:

  • Due to the Corona pandemic, parents may experience financial disadvantages. For this reason, the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs has decided on temporary exemptions. For more information, see "Further information" - "Where can I find out more" - "Measures in parental allowance on the occasion of the COVID 19 pandemic". (link in margin column).

Information on how parental allowance is calculated can be found in the service description " Parental allowance - calculation". You can find the link under "More information" - "Where can I learn more".

Kosten und Fristen

Welche Fristen sind zu beachten?

Benefits are granted at the earliest from birth and retroactively for no more than the last 3 months of life before the month of application.

Parents can receive parental allowance from the day of birth until the child reaches the age of 14 months.
Parents of particularly prematurely born children receive additional parental allowance months for births after 01.09.2021.

If children are taken into the household with the aim of adoption, the 14-month period begins on the day the household is taken in. (Not with the date of birth and also not with the date of recognition of the adoption). Entitlement ceases once the child reaches the age of eight.

Wie lange dauert die Bearbeitung

If the documents are complete, usually 5-7 weeks.

Welche Gebühren/Kosten fallen an?

There are no costs involved.

Zuständige Stellen

Contact


Häufig gestellte Fragen

  • When can I reach the parental allowance office by telephone?

    You can reach the clerks by telephone on Tuesdays from 10:00 - 12:00 and on Thursdays from 08:00 - 12:00. Please note that in addition to the telephone number of the clerks, you can also use the collective number 361-94300.

  • What is basic parental benefit

    You can receive basic parental allowance from the day of birth until your child reaches the age of 14 months at the latest. It is not paid for calendar months, but for months of the child's life. The first month of life begins on the day of birth. As parents, you can divide the basic parental allowance between you for a maximum of 14 months, whereby one parent can receive basic parental allowance for a minimum of two and a maximum of twelve months.

    If you are a single parent or are only entitled to parental allowance on your own for another reason, you can claim the total entitlement to basic parental allowance (14 months) on your own.
    Parents of especially prematurely born children (birth as of 01.09.2021) receive additional parental allowance months (for more detailed explanations, see the item: What applies to especially prematurely born children ? ).

    Please note:

    From the 15th month of the child's life, the receipt of Elterngeld Plus and the partnership bonus can only take place without interruption. Parental allowance plus must be claimed by at least one parent in consecutive months.

    Months for which one parent is entitled to maternity benefit or similar benefits are always considered months in which this parent receives basic parental benefit.

  • What is Elterngeld Plus?

    Parental allowance plus is available to all mothers and fathers who wish to receive their parental allowance for longer: One month of basic parental allowance becomes two months of parental allowance plus. Parental allowance plus is thus also possible beyond the 14th month of life. The amount of parental allowance plus is at most half of the monthly basic parental allowance. Parental allowance Plus is especially designed for parents who want to work part-time while receiving parental allowance.
    For parents of particularly prematurely born children (birth as of 01.09.2021), other periods apply (more detailed regulations under the point: What applies to particularly prematurely born children?).

    For more information and examples of Elterngeld Plus, see:
    www.elterngeld-plus.de

    Please note:

    From the 15th month of the child's life, Elterngeld Plus and the partnership bonus can only be received without interruption. Elterngeld Plus must be claimed by at least one parent in consecutive months.

    Months for which one parent is entitled to maternity benefit or similar benefits are always considered months in which this parent receives basic parental benefit.

  • What is the partnership bonus?

    If you as parents decide to work part-time at the same time, you will receive additional parental allowance plus months.
    For births before 01.09.2021 the following applies :
    You must both be simultaneously employed for at least four consecutive months of the child's life for between 25 and 30 hours per week, then you will receive four additional Elterngeld Plus months.
    You are free to decide when you want to claim the partnership bonus as part of your parental allowance reference period. Single parents who work between 25 and 30 hours per week for four consecutive months can also claim the partnership bonus. They then receive four additional parental allowance plus months.
    The following applies to births after 01.09.2021:
    If you as parents decide to work part-time at the same time, you will each receive two, three or four additional Elterngeld Plus months. To qualify, you must both work between 24 and 32 hours per week for at least two, three or four consecutive months of the child's life. You are free to decide when you want to claim the partnership bonus as part of your parental allowance reference period.
    Single parents who work between 24 and 32 hours per week in two, three or four consecutive months can also claim the partnership bonus. They will then receive two to four additional Elterngeld Plus months.
    Please note:
    From the 15th month of the child's life (exception: premature babies, see next point), Elterngeld Plus and the partnership bonus can only be drawn without interruption. Parental allowance plus must be claimed by at least one parent in consecutive months.
    Months for which one parent is entitled to maternity benefit or similar benefits are always considered months in which this parent receives basic parental benefit.

  • What applies to especially prematurely born children (birth as of 01.09.2021)?

    Depending on how early the child is born, parents receive parental benefits for up to four months longer.

    • Born at least 6 weeks early: 13 (plus 2) months of basic parental allowance are possible until the child is 15 months old. In addition, there is an entitlement to 2 - 4 months of partnership bonus. Parenting Benefit Plus can be received until 32 months of age, as long as it is claimed by at least one parent in consecutive months from 16 months of age.
    • Born at least 8 weeks early: 14 (plus 2) months' basic parental benefit is available until the child reaches 16 months of age. In addition, there is an entitlement to 2 - 4 months of partnership bonus. Parenting Benefit Plus can be received until 32 months of age, as long as it is claimed by at least one parent in consecutive months from 17 months of age.
    • Born at least 12 weeks early: 15 (plus 2) months' basic parental allowance is available until the child reaches 17 months of age. In addition, there is an entitlement to 2 - 4 months of partnership bonus. Parenting Benefit Plus can be received until 32 months of age, as long as it is claimed by at least one parent in consecutive months from 18 months of age.
    • Born at least 16 weeks early: 16 (plus 2) months of basic parental allowance are available until the child reaches 18 months of age. In addition, there is an entitlement to 2 - 4 months of partnership bonus. Parental allowance plus can be drawn up to the 32nd month of life, as long as it is claimed by at least one parent in consecutive months from the 19th month of life.

    A medical certificate or a certificate from a midwife or maternity nurse must be submitted as proof of the particularly early birth.

  • Can I also apply for parental allowance online?

    To apply for parental benefits digitally, you can use the online service "Einfach Leistungen für Eltern (ELFE)":
    https://onlinedienste.bremen.de/Onlinedienste/Service/Entry/ELFE
    Alternatively, you can also just fill out the application for parental allowance digitally/online, then print it out and send it signed to the parental allowance office in Bremen. Here, an application wizard will help you and guide you through the application.
    You can find the ElterngeldDigital application here: https: //www.elterngeld-digital.de/ams/Elterngeld

  • I have separated from my spouse. We both receive parental allowance. Can this continue to be paid only through me in the future?

    This is a change in your personal circumstances, which you must report to the Elterngeldstelle. The parental allowance office will then check the personal circumstances.

  • Do I receive parental allowance if I am a recipient of SGB II or SGB XII benefits?

    From 01.01.2011, parental allowance will be offset against benefits under Book Two of the Social Code, Book Twelve of the Social Code and Section 6a of the Federal Child Benefit Act. There are exceptions if the beneficiary earned income before the birth.

  • I would like to apply for child supplement!

    Child supplement (child benefit supplement) is not the same as (≠) parental allowance.

    Applications for child supplement (Kindergeldzuschuss) should be addressed to the Bremen Family Welfare Office (Familienkasse Bremen):

    https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/vor-ort/familienkasse/familienkasse-niedersachsen-bremen-bremen.html

  • I would like to apply for child support!

    Child benefit is not the same as (≠) parental benefit.

    Applications for child benefits should be sent to the Familienkasse Bremen:

    https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/vor-ort/familienkasse/familienkasse-niedersachsen-bremen-bremen.html