When is there a claim for child benefit?
April 29, 2022 | 60,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Schröter
Dear Social Security Lawyer,
My name is Theodor Eckstein and I am reaching out to you with a question regarding child benefit. My wife and I have three children aged 6, 9, and 12. We have been receiving child benefit regularly so far, however, we recently received a letter from the relevant family benefits office stating that our entitlement to child benefit is being reviewed.
We are both employed and earn an average income. Our oldest child attends secondary school, while the other two are still in primary school. We are concerned that we may lose our entitlement to child benefit and would like to learn more about the circumstances under which one is eligible for child benefit.
Our financial situation is currently stable, but we would still like to continue receiving child benefit to help alleviate the financial burden of raising children. Can you explain to us exactly when the entitlement to child benefit arises and if there are possible solutions to maintain our entitlement?
We greatly appreciate your assistance and thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Theodor Eckstein
Dear Mr. Eckstein,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding child benefit. I understand your concern after receiving a letter from the family benefits office in which your entitlement to child benefit is being reviewed. It is important to familiarize yourself with the requirements for receiving child benefit in order to identify any potential issues early on and find solutions.
In general, parents are entitled to child benefit if they reside in Germany or have their habitual residence there and care for minor children. Child benefit is paid regardless of the parents' income and is intended to provide financial support for the upbringing of children. In your case, as parents of three children aged 6, 9, and 12, you generally meet the requirements for receiving child benefit.
However, there are certain circumstances under which entitlement to child benefit may be lost. These include, for example, if the child has already completed vocational training, is over 18 years old and not pursuing further educational goals, or if the child has their own income above a certain threshold. It is important that you provide the family benefits office with all necessary information to secure your entitlement to child benefit.
In your case, as working parents with an average income, you should not have any difficulty in maintaining your entitlement to child benefit. However, it may be advisable to seek professional assistance to ensure that all requirements are met and no errors are made in the application process.
If your entitlement to child benefit is nevertheless rejected, you have the option to appeal the decision and, if necessary, take legal action. As a lawyer specializing in social security law, I am happy to assist you in defending your rights and finding a solution to your issue.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Schröter
Lawyer specializing in social security law
