The Federal Chancellor thinks that the basic child allowance is well under way. He pointed out that “important steps” had already been taken by increasing child benefits and the maximum amount of the supplementary child allowance. “We are working hard to draw this up in the government and have been making great progress in our discussions to date, so we are getting there,” Scholz confirmed during his visit to the family benefits office in Potsdam with Minister of Family Affairs Paus. They were particularly interested in the digital solutions that are already available for family benefits applications and payments, for example for the supplementary child allowance. Modern, efficient administration processes that include digital access to benefits are essential to enable the Federal Government to further strengthen and provide relief for families.

The family benefits offices of the Federal Employment Agency support parents in applying for numerous family benefits, such as child benefits and the supplementary child allowance. They will also be playing an important role with regard to the planned basic child allowance.

Family benefits offices are key for realising the planned basic child allowance

Following their visit, Scholz expressed his gratitude to the staff members of the family benefits office: “Seeing the great commitment and the devotion that goes into providing consultation services is very encouraging for the project we want to realise for Germany, which is to end child poverty for good.” 

Concerning the family benefits office’s digital solutions, Minister of Family Affairs Paus spoke of “essential foundations” for the basic child allowance. She added that it had been agreed with the Federal Employment Agency that the latter would be taking care of administration of the new family benefit. Paus said that she was “confident” that the Federal Government could come to an agreement concerning the basic child allowance “in the weeks up to the summer break”.

Various family benefits are to be pooled in the planned basic child allowance and access and applications are to be simplified. The goal is to reach eligible families more effectively and to provide better support for children and youths who are threatened by poverty. The Federal Government plans for the new family benefit to be introduced in 2025.