Advance on maintenance
Short text
Prerequisites:
- Child maintenance is not paid or only paid in part
- Child has his/her residence or habitual abode in Germany
- Foreign children are only entitled to this if they have certain residence permits.
- Children up to a maximum age of 17
- Parent is a single parent (e.g. also widowed)
- Parent and child must live in the same household
The amount of the maintenance advance is based on the age of the children and will be monthly as of January 1, 2025:
- for children from 0 to 5 years up to EUR 227,
- for children from 6 to 11 years up to EUR 299,
- for children from 12 to 17 years up to EUR 394.
Service description
What is maintenance advance?
Maintenance advance is a special family benefit for children of single parents. Single parents who do not receive any or regular maintenance for their child can apply for maintenance advance. This is an advance payment for missing maintenance payments from the other parent.
If it would actually be possible for the other parent to pay maintenance, the state will demand repayment of the maintenance advance paid.
How much is the maintenance advance?
The amount of the maintenance advance is based on the age of the children and will be monthly as of January 1, 2025:
- for children from 0 to 5 years up to EUR 227,
- for children from 6 to 11 years up to EUR 299,
- for children from 12 to 17 years up to EUR 394.
Where can I get advice?
The youth welfare office at your place of residence is responsible. Find the youth welfare office in your area here.
Legal basis
Required documents
You will need the following documents for the application:
- Application form
- Birth certificate of the child
- If available: Proof of paternity for children born outside of a marriage
- If available: Maintenance order
Please complete the application for advance maintenance payments carefully. This may result in you having to provide further evidence in your specific case.
Special information for - City of Kevelaer- Birth certificate of the child (copy)
- for foreign nationals: Residence permit (settlement permit, residence permit)
- Certificate of residence for each child and the single parent (available free of charge from the Citizens' Offices), unless an information block has been set up
- Maintenance title (deed, decision, settlement)
- Acknowledgment of paternity (deed, decision)
- Proof of the child's income, e.g. maintenance payments, pension statements, training pay
- Letter from legal representation, if available, divorce decree if applicable
- Proof of change of tax class for separated spouses
- Continuous account statements for the last 3 months
- Proof of existing guardianship
The required documents will be copied after submission.
In individual cases, further evidence may be required for processing.
Prerequisite
When can I get maintenance advance?
You can receive advance maintenance payments if
- your child is under 18 years of age,
- your child has its center of life in your household and
- your child receives no or no regular maintenance from the other parent or the maintenance payments are below the statutory minimum maintenance.
You can also receive maintenance advance if the other parent is involved in looking after the child. However, you must have the main responsibility for raising the child. Maintenance advance is also paid if you have joint custody with the other parent.
For a child aged 12 to 17, one of the following two conditions must also be met:
- Your child is not dependent on benefits under the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II, also often referred to as Hartz IV) or
- You receive SGB II benefits and have at least EUR 600 gross per month at your disposal without child benefit.
There is no income limit for single parents who do not receive SGB II benefits.
When is maintenance advance not paid?
In the following cases, you cannot receive an advance on maintenance payments for your child:
- If you are married or partnered with a new partner and live together.
- If you live with the other parent, whether married or not.
- If your child lives with the other parent.
- If you do not provide any information about the other parent.
- If you do not cooperate in establishing paternity or clarifying the whereabouts of the other parent.
Further information
How is the maintenance advance calculated? The amount of the maintenance advance is based on the statutory minimum maintenance, which in turn depends on the age of your child. Child benefit is deducted in full from the maintenance advance. Orphan's benefits that a child receives after the death of one parent and maintenance payments from the other parent are also deducted from the maintenance advance. In the case of children who are no longer attending a general school, other income of the child is also deducted from the maintenance advance under certain conditions, for example a training allowance.
Special information for - City of KevelaerApplications are usually accepted by appointment, so it is advisable to contact us in advance by telephone.