Child benefit is paid to the parents and is not training pay. Adult children may also qualify while seriously looking for a training place, provided the requirements are met. After a first vocational qualification has been completed, additional limits apply if the child works; employment and training status can therefore affect eligibility. The amount of child benefit is a monthly flat rate and does not depend on the number of years of training or the child’s earnings. The rate may change, so the rate in force at the time is decisive for each eligibility period. Child benefit does not start automatically when training begins: the parents apply to the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) and provide evidence of training or the search for a training place if requested. Child benefit supports the parents’ household, while training pay is paid directly to the trainee.
Child benefit rates during vocational training in Germany
Parents can generally receive child benefit for a child in vocational training until the child’s 25th birthday. The monthly flat rate depends neither on the training year nor on training pay.
Tip
Plan for child benefit as support for the parents’ household, not as income available to the trainee. For household budgeting, use the amount that applies to the relevant eligibility period.