Financial aid
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Up to the age of 15, it depends on the parent or guardian whether a child has money at free disposal. Parents are not obliged to give pocket money, nor do they have to pay out state aid such as child benefit while the child is still living at home. However, there are some ways to help children learn how to handle money. Pocket money is certainly the most common variant. Children can also do simple tasks at home for a small amount of money. From the age of 13 a child may work a few hours a week with the permission of the parents and under certain conditions. From the age of 15, children who no longer go to school can work under certain restrictions.
BAföG or housing subsidies are possibilities of state financial assistance if the young person no longer lives at home and studies or goes to school.
There are other state benefits for children, such as child benefit, child surcharge, and benefits for education and participation. These benefits are paid to the parents after application and approval, but normally not to the child itself.
If children wish to fulfil a wish, they are dependent on their parents or guardians.
If the child wants to save money, there are special current accounts for pupils. A Girocard is often only available from the age of 14, provided the parents have given their consent. At the age of 7 - 17 years children and adolescents are limitedly contractually capable. Parents have the right to demand the reversal of a purchase with which they do not agree. This protects the children and adolescents so that they do not get into debt.
One exception is the so-called pocket money paragraph: children are allowed to buy something with small sums that are available to them weekly or monthly. However, if the parents have expressly prohibited the purchase of certain goods, the children must comply with them.
Questions and answers
Children and work - What is allowed?
Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to work. With the consent of their parents, children between the ages of 13 and 15 may earn a few euros. But only light work (e.g. childcare, distributing brochures, walking the dog). Maximum 2 hours a day after school and not between 18-8 hours. This also applies during the school holidays. From an age of 16 the young person can take a regular holiday job and work 4 weeks a year.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 18 who no longer attend school may work up to 8 hours a day between 8 am and 8 pm. They may work a maximum of 5 days a week. So they should have 2 days off, if possible consecutive. Young people are normally not allowed to work on Saturdays. There are exceptions, e.g. if the work of the young person is in a restaurant, open sales point, at music performances, medical emergency services, etc..
Then the employer must make sure that the 5-day week is still adhered to.
What is child housing benefit?
Child housing benefit is a special form of housing benefit. The amount is always calculated individually and applied for at the responsible social welfare office.
A child is entitled to child housing benefit if the parents or the parent with whom it lives receives ALGII. In addition, the child must be able to earn a living from its own income (here, child benefit and maintenance are already considered as the child's income).
Do parents have to pay their children pocket money?
Children have no right to pocket money. Their parents are not legally obliged to do so. However, it is good for children to learn how to handle money and to make decisions independently of their parents. It is not easy to decide how much pocket money your children should get. Therefore, the Youth Welfare Office makes suggestions on how much pocket money is appropriate, but it is still up to the parents to decide.
- Under 6 years: 1 euro per week
- 6-7 years: 2 euro per week
- 8-9 years: 3 euro per week
- 10 years: 14 euro per month
- 11 years: 16 euro per month
- 12 years: 20 euro per month
- 13 years: 22 euro per month
- 14 years: 25 euro per month
- 15 years: 30 euro per month
- 16 years: 35 euro per month
- 17 years: 45 euro per month
- 18 years: 70 euro per month (The proposals from 16 years apply only to young people who do not earn their own money yet.)
Is a child entitled to the child benefit?
Parents are not obliged to pay child benefit to their child if the child is a minor and still lives at home. Parents are obliged to support their child if the child is in education or study and has no income. The child benefit is then deducted from the child's maintenance. Parents are obliged to finance education, after which the child is able to pay for his or her own support. The parents have thus done their duty.
If, however, the parents are not responsible for the maintenance despite their obligation, an application can be made for payment of the child benefit. However, the prerequisite here is that the child is of age and has his or her own place of residence.
Checklist
Document
The BAfög - Online Brochure
Compact information on all aspects of training assistance
Federal Ministry of Education and Research – www.bmbf.de
Protection of young people at work and protection of children at work ordinance
Which profession is the right one? An internship can help you make the right decision.
Federal Ministry of Education and Research – www.bmbf.de
Helpful Links
Services of the educational package
Information on what exactly is being promoted with the educational package and contact points where you can apply for it.
Bafög online application (BMBF)
Application and all important information about the Bafög.
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Is a child entitled to child benefit?
For children declared: If a child is entitled to payment of child benefit by parents.
About federal support money - SMS Sachsen
Following a decision of the Federal Constitutional Court of 21 July 2015, the federal government discontinues this benefit for families. However, families who already receive care allowance can continue to receive it for the entire duration of the grant.
What are benefits for education and participation?
The services support children and young people from families with little money, in order to be able to use offers in school and leisure that they would otherwise not be able to afford.
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