Apply for child benefit
- Geburt
Procedure
You can apply for child benefit in writing using the form provided. You also have the option of completing the applications for child benefit from birth and the application for child benefit for children when they reach the age of majority online. You can upload supporting documents directly. The data will then be sent directly to the family benefits office.
For an electronic application with electronic proof of identity:
- Go to the website of the Family Benefits Office of the Federal Employment Agency and access the online application. For authentication, you will need either
- the new ID card with online ID function or
- the eID card for EU citizens and nationals of the European Economic Area or
- an electronic residence permit or
- an ELSTER certificate.
- Complete the online application. The completed online application will be sent to the family benefits office.
- When applying for child benefit from birth and for children who have reached the age of majority, you can also upload supporting documents and send them to the family benefits office.
For an analog application:
If you do not wish to make use of electronic application, you must apply for child benefit in writing. To do this, you can have the online application form sent to you for signature or print out the form yourself. Please send the signed application by post to your local family benefits office.
- Go to the website of the Family Benefits Office of the Federal Employment Agency, call up the online application and complete it accordingly.
- Print out the completed application or have it printed out and sent to you by the family benefits office.
- You can also print out the application form directly and complete it by hand.
- Please use the forms available from your local family benefits office or on the Federal Employment Agency website for your application.
- Send the signed application by post to the family benefits office responsible for you.
- The family benefits office will inform you by post whether you are entitled to child benefit.
- If your application is approved, the family benefits office will pay you the child benefit each month.
- If you work in the public sector or receive a pension, you may receive your child benefit from your employer, unless they have waived their special responsibility. In this case, you must also submit the application to your employer.
You must inform your family benefits office immediately if there are any changes that could affect your child benefit (e.g. child drops out of school, you or another parent take up employment abroad).
Legal bases
More information
The responsible family benefits office will check at certain intervals whether you still meet the requirements for entitlement to child benefit.
Legal remedy:
- Appeal