Pregnancy, or at the latest when a baby is born, brings many changes: These include not only coming together as a family and as parents, but also other important issues that concern mothers and fathers: How long will I stay home as a mother or father? Is the living space still adequate? From when will I actually receive child benefit? Where can I get financial support if I am a single parent?
Especially for parents with limited financial resources, government family benefits offer crucial support for life with children. Are you about to become a mother or father and don't have a lot of money? Then we have a few tips for you:
Parental allowance, child benefit, housing benefit – when and where to apply?
You're probably familiar with child benefit and parental allowance. On our "Welcome to the Family" page, you'll find lots of information for the first six months with your baby. Here you'll also find information such as the requirements for receiving child benefit and parental allowance, and a checklistthat tells you at a glance where and when you need to submit your applications in the city of Bremen.
"When money is tight" – here you will find an overview of all the benefits that families with little money can receive, for example housing benefit or benefits from the education and participation package (also: "Bremen Pass").
We will now briefly introduce three important services that you may not (yet) know about:
1. Support during pregnancy / additional needs
If you are expecting a child and receive unemployment benefit II (also known as "Hartz IV") from the Jobcenter, you can apply for additional benefits at the Jobcenter. You must submit a written application for this. You can do this with your caseworker, who is the right contact person for the following benefits:
Additional needs for pregnant women
From the 12th week of pregnancy, you can receive a monthly additional allowance. To receive this, you must submit a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy. You can obtain this certificate from your gynecologist. You then submit the application for the additional allowance to the Bremen Job Center.
- Pregnancy clothing:
You can receive a lump sum for maternity clothing. - Initial baby equipment/needs:
You can apply for a lump sum for your child's initial equipment. The money is intended for things like baby clothes, a changing mat, or similar items.
Important: If you are a student, in vocational training, or earn a low income, you can also apply for these benefits. The job center will then check whether the benefits can be paid.
Before you buy things for yourself or your baby, check with the job center to find out how and when you will receive the allowance and whether you need receipts, proof of purchase, etc., and if so, in what form.
2. Child support advance
You can apply for child support advance payments if you are a single parent and the other parent pays no (or only irregular) child support. A legal guardian can help youwith establishing paternity and/or enforcing child support claims. Child support advance payments, as a government benefit, help secure your child's financial livelihood.
It's important that your child lives in your household, meaning their primary residence is with you. Furthermore, you must not have married a new partner. Many questions about child support advances are here in the FAQs .
3. Child supplement (KiZ)
The child supplement (KiZ) is an additional family benefit for families with low and middle incomes. This means it is for single parents/couples whose income is insufficient to cover their children's needs. The child supplement aims to reduce and prevent child poverty in Germany.
In addition to child benefit, these families will receive support of up to €229.00 per child (under 25 years of age) from July 1, 2022. The good news: Those receiving the child supplement (or housing benefit) are also entitled to educational and social participation benefits. Furthermore, no daycare fees have to be paid, which can be important if there are already older siblings.
You can KiZ Navigator easily find out Understanding the child supplement.
You can also arrange an appointment for a video chat with the family benefits office and ask your questions about the child supplement (KiZ) conveniently from home.
Did you know that there are 156 family and marriage-related benefits in Germany?
The additional needs allowances during pregnancy, the benefits for initial baby equipment, and the child supplement are just a few examples. You can find an overview of all family benefits on the website of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, or you can ask the staff at the Bremen Job Center .
The Bremen citizens' hotline can also answer your questions at 115, for example, if you want to know which authority is responsible for your request or situation. You can call them Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Barbara Peper works at the Bremen Family Network, where she is responsible for public relations, online editorial work, and the Bremen Holiday Compass, among other things. She has submitted several applications herself – and knows that it's not always easy.