Apply for education and participation benefits for children, young people or young adults in receipt of citizen's allowance

For parents who are dependent on benefits, it is often not easy to offer their children the same leisure and school opportunities as children from families with higher incomes. However, children and young people in need are also entitled to take part in day trips and shared lunches at school and daycare centers, music, sports and games in clubs and groups. This is where the education and participation benefits of the so-called education package can help. Up to 2.5 million children and young people can benefit from the education package.

The funding covers the following areas:

Up to a maximum of 18 years of age:

• Participation in social and cultural life, for example in a sports club or music school, is subsidized with up to EUR 15.00 per month.

Up to a maximum age of 25:

• The provision of personal school supplies is subsidized with EUR 174.00 per year (EUR 116.00 for the first half-year, EUR 58.00 for the second half-year).
• The costs of additional appropriate learning support are covered insofar as they are necessary to achieve the learning objectives defined in accordance with school regulations.
• The actual costs of one-day excursions for schools, day-care centers and day-care facilities are reimbursed.
• The actual costs of excursions lasting several days organized by day-care centers and childminders as well as school trips within the framework of school regulations are covered.
• Subsidies are paid for communal lunches for schoolchildren (if the school is responsible for them) and for children in day-care centers and day-care facilities.
• The necessary actual expenses for transportation to the nearest school of the chosen course of education (monthly student tickets) are covered.

• § Section 6b of the Federal Child Benefit Act (BKGG)
• §§ 34 f. Social Security Code Twelfth Book (SGB XII)
• §§ Sections 28 ff of the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II)
• §§ Sections 2 and 3 of the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (AsylbLG)
• §§ 3 ff. Asylum Seekers Benefits Act

• Child benefit number, if applicable
• Proof of need, e.g. by means of a notice of need:
  • Child supplement
  • Housing benefit
  • Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
• Invoices, receipts and other evidence, if applicable
• Certificates from the school if required

The responsible office will inform you about any other documents that may be required.

• Children and young people up to the age of 25 are eligible to apply,
  • who cannot cover their education and participation needs from their own income and assets or their family's own income and assets and who are therefore entitled to
    • Basic benefits for jobseekers or
    • Social assistance
    • Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
  • or their families receive the following benefits:
    • Child supplement or
    • Housing benefit
• Upper age limit for participation in cultural, sports and leisure activities: 18 years

You will receive benefits for education and participation on application.

• If possible, find out in advance from the responsible office how you can apply for benefits from the education package most easily. The staff will also help you with the application process on request.
• Fill out the required forms, sign the application and compile the necessary supporting documents.
  • Note: If you receive Citizen's Allowance, the benefits for education and participation are applied for together with the application for Citizen's Allowance. This also applies to benefits that are intended to support your child's learning.
• Send the complete application documents by post to the responsible office or hand them in personally.
• You will be informed in writing whether your child can take part in the program and, if so, which programs.

Note:

The implementation of the education package is organized locally in the districts and independent cities and may differ from the procedures described. In principle, however, the following applies: Anyone who receives citizen's allowance usually contacts the job center for benefits from the education package. The same applies to cases of so-called needs triggering. The educational package is also implemented by the districts and independent cities at the Jobcenter. You will also receive information there if the education package is administered outside the Jobcenter. The job centers are not responsible for families who receive social assistance, housing benefit, child supplement or benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. The districts or independent cities (available, for example, at the town hall, the citizens' office or the district administration) will tell you who to contact.

• Information on the education package on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
• Information on the education package on the website of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

• Overview of contact points in the federal states for applying for the education package on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

• Application for benefits for education and participation (pdf)