During a first vocational training program, parents can generally receive child benefit until their child’s 25th birthday. The Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) is the department of the Federal Employment Agency that determines and pays child benefit. It needs information about the training and may request a certificate from the school or training company. Child benefit may also be available while someone is looking for a training place, if the search is serious and can be documented. Additional rules apply after a first vocational or university degree has been completed: the child’s employment may affect eligibility. Changes such as the end of training or a change of program should be reported to the Family Benefits Office so it can review eligibility again.
Family Benefits Office before vocational training in Germany
During training, child benefit may be paid for a child until their 25th birthday. The Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) checks whether the training is being pursued seriously and what information or evidence is required.
Tip
Treat child benefit as a possible contribution to training costs, not as a guaranteed payment until the Family Benefits Office has reviewed eligibility. The key factors are training status and, after a first vocational or university degree, employment.