Financial security for the family is a key concern for all parents. Families with several children face the challenge of securing the livelihood of a large family. This is where the child supplement (KIZ) can be a valuable support, especially because the announced basic child benefit disappeared into oblivion with the end of the coalition government.
But what requirements must be met in order to receive this financial support from the state? How high can the income be in order to be entitled to this benefit? This article gives you a detailed overview of the child supplement, the relevant income limits and other important information.
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What is the child supplement?
The child supplement, also known as child benefit supplement, is a state benefit aimed specifically at low-income families. According to the Federal Employment Agency, this benefit is paid in addition to child benefit and serves to protect children from financial hardship and social exclusion.
If the child supplement is allowed, it is paid to the parent or guardian to whose account the child benefit is transferred.
Purpose of the child supplement
The most important purpose of the child supplement is to relieve the financial burden on low-income families and low-income earners as single parents and to actively prevent child poverty. By supplementing child benefit, it enables parents to secure their children's livelihood without having to rely on social benefits such as the citizen's allowance.
The rule not only strengthens the financial stability and independence of families, but also promotes equal opportunities for children. They are given better opportunities for education, participation in social life and a more stable start to adult life.
Basic requirements for the child supplement
If you want to receive the child supplement, you and your family must meet several requirements relating to your and your partner's income, the status of the child and the family situation.
This means that the income must be sufficient to cover the parents' own needs while the child is unmarried, under the age of 25 and living in the same household. These criteria are crucial to ensure eligibility.
Minimum income and upper income limit
A key requirement for entitlement to the child supplement is reaching a certain minimum income threshold. This is 900 euros gross per month for couples and 600 euros gross for single parents.
It is important that this income comes from gainful employment, as benefits such as unemployment benefit I or social assistance are not taken into account. Anyone who does not reach these figures is not entitled to the supplementary child allowance and becomes a recipient of the citizen's allowance.
At the same time, the income must not exceed a certain maximum income limit, otherwise the child supplement will be reduced or nothing will be paid. The calculation takes into account not only the parents' income, but also any income of the children, for example from maintenance payments or investment income. In certain cases, a savings account for children can be regarded as assets and included in the assessment. This regulation is intended to ensure that the supplement provides targeted support for families who really need it.
Further requirements
In addition to the income limits, there are other criteria that must be met in order to be entitled to child supplement:
- Age and marital status of the child: The child must be under 25 years of age, unmarried and live in the parents' household.
- Receipt of child benefit: Child benefit or a comparable benefit must be received for the child in question.
- No supplementary social benefits: The family must not receive any benefits under the German Social Security Code II (SGB II), as the child supplement is intended to prevent this.
- School or vocational training: The child must not have completed their own vocational training or studies, as this affects the parents' maintenance obligation.
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The amount of the child supplement
The amount of the child supplement is calculated individually and depends on several factors. The most important variables include the parents' income and assets, any income of the children, the number of children in the household and the housing costs.
Family needs, which are made up of the standard rates and reasonable housing costs, also play a decisive role. These factors influence how high the child supplement is in individual cases.
Maximum surcharge amount and variables
The maximum allowance from January 2024 of 292 euros was increased to 297 euros per child per month in 2025. However, this amount is calculated individually and can be reduced by various factors. These include the parents' income and assets as well as any income of the children, for example from maintenance or investment income.
The amount of housing costs and the number of people living in the household also play a decisive role. It is also checked whether the family's needs are covered by other income. It is therefore important to analyze the personal financial circumstances in detail in order to correctly determine the entitlement and the amount of the supplement.
Further services for families
Families who receive the child supplement are entitled to additional benefits that can significantly relieve their financial situation. These include
- Education and participation benefits: Support for school trips, learning support, school supplies and participation in social and cultural life, such as club fees or the cost of music lessons.
- Exemption from daycare center fees: Possibility of cost exemption for childcare at the daycare center.
- Housing benefit: Under certain conditions, you can also apply for housing benefit to reduce your housing costs.
- Exemption from broadcasting fees: Families can be exempted from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees and thus achieve further savings.
- Discounts at public institutions: Reduced admission to swimming pools, museums or theaters that make it easier for families to participate in culture.
The family needs
The so-called family requirement is a central factor in the calculation of the child supplement. It is made up of the standard rates for parents and children, which cover the basic monthly requirements for food, clothing, education and personal needs. Reasonable housing costs, including rent, ancillary costs and heating costs, are also taken into account.
The child supplement is paid to supplement family needs if the parents' income is not sufficient to cover them in full. The aim is to create financial security for low-income families and prevent child poverty. The calculation is based on the individual circumstances of the family.
Case study couple with 3 children
To better understand the regulations, let's look at a concrete example: A couple with three children would like to know whether they are entitled to the child supplement and how much it could be.
The minimum income for couples with three children
For couples with three children, the general minimum income limit of €900 gross per month applies. This money must come from gainful employment and ensure that the parents can cover their own needs, consisting of standard rates and pro rata housing costs.
Benefits such as unemployment benefit do not count here. It is particularly important that the average income of the last six months prior to the application is taken into account when calculating the entitlement to the child supplement.
The maximum income for couples with three children
There is no fixed upper income limit for the child supplement, as it is calculated on an individual basis. The decisive factor is that the parents' income, together with child benefit, child supplement and any other benefits such as housing benefit, does not exceed the family's needs.
This requirement is made up of the standard rates for parents and children as well as reasonable housing costs. If the income exceeds this requirement, the child supplement is reduced accordingly or not paid at all. This ensures that the support reaches families with actual needs in a targeted manner.
Example calculation: Income limit for couples with three children
Let's assume that a couple with three children has a gross monthly income of EUR 2,500. The rent is 1,000 euros. The family's needs are made up as follows:
- Standard requirement for parents: 1,012 euros
- Standard requirement for child 1 (14 years): 471 euros
- Standard requirement for child 2 (10 years): 390 euros
- Standard requirement for child 3 (6 years): 390 euros
- Housing costs: 1,000 euros warm rent
Total requirement: 3,263 euros
The parents' net income is 1,800 euros per month. Added to this is the child benefit for three children, which rose to 255 euros at the beginning of 2025 (3 x 255 euros = 765 euros).
This results in a total income of 2,565 euros. The difference between the total income and the family requirement (3,263 euros minus 2,565 euros) is 708 euros. As the child supplement amounts to a maximum of 297 euros per child (891 euros in total), this supplement could not be fully utilized in this case.
This calculation example shows how the child supplement is calculated individually and how important it is to analyze your own financial situation carefully. Surpluses that exceed the family's needs are deducted from the maximum child supplement, which can influence the exact calculation once again.
Applying for the child supplement
The application for the child supplement is submitted to the relevant family benefits office and is clearly regulated to make the process as simple as possible for parents. There are various options available:
- Online application: The quickest and easiest way is to apply via the Family Benefits Office's online portal. All the necessary documents can be conveniently uploaded here and the details submitted electronically. The online application saves time and enables rapid processing.
- Written application: Alternatively, the application can also be submitted in writing to the family benefits office. It is important to enclose all the necessary documents in full to avoid delays in processing.
- Payment and extension: The child supplement is initially granted for six months. After this period has expired, a new application must be submitted if the eligibility requirements are still met.
To ensure that everything runs smoothly, it is important to prepare the documents carefully and submit them on time. You can find detailed information on the required documents and helpful tips on how to apply on the website of the family benefits office or the employment agency.
Conclusion - families on low and medium incomes can receive the child supplement
The child supplement is a valuable support for families whose income is just above the limit for social benefits, but who still need financial relief. Especially for parents with several children, as in the case study with three children, this benefit offers an opportunity to secure the family's livelihood and create additional financial leeway.
With a clear understanding of the requirements, income limits and how to apply, parents can benefit from this state benefit. The child supplement supplements child benefit and helps to bridge financial bottlenecks so that children can grow up in better conditions.
The possibility of claiming additional benefits such as education and participation packages or housing benefit makes the child supplement a key instrument for supporting families. It is therefore worth examining the individual situation in order to strengthen the family's financial security in the long term.
We'll help you find the right investment for your child!
- An additional $25,703 per child, thanks to our modern ETF strategy
- Find the perfect ETF investment for your child in a 30-minute video conference from the comfort of your own home.
- Sit back and watch your child's assets grow – our experts will take care of the rest.
