How long can I claim parental leave benefits?
June 1, 2022 | 60,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Schröter
Dear lawyer specializing in social security law,
My name is Paula Otten and I am a mother of a two-year-old child. I am currently receiving parental allowance as I have decided to stay at home for a while after the birth of my child. Now I am concerned about my financial situation, as the parental allowance will soon expire and I am not sure how long I can continue to claim it.
I am a single parent and have been receiving the parental allowance in full so far. Now I am wondering if there is a possibility to extend the parental allowance or if there are other financial support options that I can take advantage of. My child is still too young for kindergarten and I want to ensure that I continue to have enough income to provide for both of us.
Could you please tell me how long I can claim parental allowance and if there are alternative support options available for me to access? I am worried about our financial future and would be grateful for your assistance and advice.
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards,
Paula Otten
Dear Mrs. Otten,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding parental benefits and possible alternative support options. I understand your concerns about your financial situation as a single mother and would like to help you further.
Parental benefits are usually paid for a maximum period of 14 months. There is the possibility to extend parental benefits to up to 28 months if you work part-time. This is called Parental Benefit Plus. In this case, you would receive half of the parental benefit for twice as long. For example, you could receive parental benefits at 50% of the previous amount for 28 months if you work part-time.
Furthermore, you can apply for child benefit if your income and your child's income are not enough to cover your needs. Child benefit is paid in addition to child allowance and can be a financial support for you.
Another option could be to claim unemployment benefit II (Hartz IV) if you do not have enough income to cover your needs. Your and your child's needs are taken into account and an appropriate amount is paid to secure your livelihood.
It is important that you inform yourself in a timely manner about possible support options and, if necessary, submit applications to secure your financial situation. I am available for a personal consultation to discuss your individual situation and to assist you in applying for benefits.
I hope that this information is helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or require advice.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Schröter
Attorney specializing in social security law
