Child allowance and child benefit: families can hope for financial relief in 2015

Then the age limits are extended by the period.

With appropriate documents, parents can also prove what exactly the child did during this time, said Rauhöft. "The Familienkasse even pays for young people up to the age of 21 if they are registered as jobseekers in Germany, an EU country or Switzerland" he says. "However, the age limits do not apply if a child suffers a mental or physical disability before the age of 25 and is therefore unable to look after himself financially" says lawyer Nöll (line 21).

Apply for the training allowance if required

"If the child lives in another city for training or studying, parents can apply for the training allowance in addition to child benefit" adds Erich Nöll. This enables you to claim an additional 924 euros as an extraordinary tax deductible (lines 50-52).

This applies to single parents

Single parents can have half the child tax credit transferred to them if the other parent fails to meet their maintenance obligations (lines 38 and 39). "If a parent receives the full child allowance, they must also state the full amount of child benefit – regardless of who the child benefit was paid to" says Nöll. If the child is only registered with one parent, he or she can also request that half of the childcare allowance or training allowance be transferred (line 40).

In addition, single parents can benefit from the relief amount, which was previously 1308 euros per year (lines 44 to 49). According to Klocke, the prerequisite for this is "that there is an entitlement to child benefit and that the child lives in the same household." However, no other adult is allowed to live there – unless they are siblings of legal age who are also entitled to child benefit or the child allowance.

On April 16, the governing coalition agreed to give lone parents more relief. It is planned that the tax exemption will be increased to EUR 1908 with effect from January 1, 2015.

Childcare costs up to 4000 euros deductible – per child

For children who have not yet reached the age of 14, parents can settle costs of up to 6,000 euros – two thirds of which are then taken into account for tax purposes (lines 67 to 69). "The maximum amount of 4,000 euros per year applies to each child" says Klocke. "Care costs include expenses for the kindergarten, the after-school care center, but also for a childminder" so Nöll.

In the interests of children – decisions of the Federal Fiscal Court: The Federal Fiscal Court has passed several rulings that favor parents of adults in training: They continue to receive child benefit from the family benefits, even if the offspring works for up to 20 hours per week in a dual study course after the end of integrated training (BFH, Az. III R 52/13) or if he got married during training. This applies regardless of the income of the spouse (BFH, Az. III R 22/13).

Coalition has agreed: tax exemption for single parents will be increased Application, payment, allowances: Child benefit 2015 – everything parents should know Child benefit: Support is also available for adult children Parental Allowance and Parental Allowance Plus 2015: This is what parents should know Child allowance and child benefit: families can hope for financial relief in 2015

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Child day care has a few clear advantages for parents. A child minder also has to meet very specific quality requirements before she is allowed to look after your child at home. In addition to a daycare center, a childminder can be a good alternative for you.

It’s part of a happy childhood

Photo series with 7 pictures

At home with a childminder

The Federal Association for Child Day Care sees clear advantages in this care model: From an educational point of view, it can be good for the development of small children if a childminder looks after your child at home. Because in this way, the individual needs of your offspring can be specifically addressed and consistent promotion can be carried out.

In addition, a fixed reference person can give your child security and orientation. In addition, a childminder can often adapt to your everyday life more flexibly: This can mean a reduction in stress for you, especially if you are at work. (Childminder: advantages and disadvantages)

Requirements for child day care

A childminder must meet certain educational qualifications: In order to offer day care, the requirements of the German Youth Institute (DJI) must be met. This means that around 150 hours of learning units have to be proven by an educational institution that has been certified by the federal government, the states and the Federal Employment Agency.

For example, a completed first aid course mail order indian brides is standard. The youth welfare office also checks the childminder’s house or apartment: the health and safety of your child is a concrete priority. Socket fuses, for example, must be available, the food must be balanced and nutritious, and it must be prepared under hygienic conditions. (Becoming a childminder – how does that work

Child day care costs at home

According to the Federal Association for Child Day Care, the costs of a childminder who looks after your child at home should not be higher than, for example, in a daycare center. In addition, the caregiver receives a grant from public youth welfare agencies for services and material costs.

You should check the costs incurred on a case-by-case basis with your responsible youth welfare office: Similar to kindergartens or daycare centers, the costs of publicly funded child day care depend on your net income and the number of hours of care booked. However, the Federal Association for Child Day Care recommends: The costs should amount to 5.50 euros per child and hour.

Due to the Corona crisis, many children were no longer allowed to go to daycare centers – usually a double burden for parents in the home office. But what are the rules for childcare?

Daycare centers had to close for many children. Exceptions are possible for the child minders as they are not part of the facilities. A childminder’s lawsuit was therefore successful.

Despite the corona crisis, a childminder can continue to look after children. Because child minders do not fall under child, youth and integration aid facilities from the state’s containment ordinance. That was decided by the Cottbus Administrative Court (Az .: 3 L 164/20), as reported by the Family Law Working Group of the German Lawyers’ Association.

Childminder sued against closure

The childminder should close her facility. The district administrator relied on the regulations of the corona pandemic. The woman wanted to continue looking after the children. She filed an urgent motion against the closure.

The childminder was successful at the administrative court and is allowed to continue to look after her foster children. The district administrator had seen himself obliged to order the closure of the day care, although he had a margin of discretion. The court argued that he did not exercise this discretion.

Care in the Corona crisis: How can families cope with time? Against boredom: Keeping children busy made easy Expert gives tips: This is how your children emerge stronger from the crisis

Day care centers for children can remain open

Although the containment ordinance of the state of Brandenburg provides for the closure of child and youth welfare facilities. However, day care centers did not fall under the concept of facilities. They are characterized by the fact that the children to be cared for have a fixed reference person, the childminder or childcare supervisor. The care takes place "personal". In addition, the closure order is disproportionate as it was issued for an unlimited period.

Sources used: dpa-tmn news agency

A stranger who is up to no good approaches a child and lures them into the car or into an apartment. The primal fear of such a horror scenario probably drives all parents. But children can learn to protect themselves. That saves them from worse in an emergency.

It feels like the topic is constantly present. Either it is reported in the press about incidents "Child Claimants" reports or concerned parents exchange their fears in forums and social networks. Again and again they tell about very real experiences of their child.

"A terrifying experience"

"I always thought it was all far away. But no, it happened to us too" writes a mother. "Just recently my daughter was approached by an unknown man right in front of her elementary school, asking if she would like to come and see him, he had baby dogs at home. Fortunately, she ran away straight away. Still, it’s a terrifying experience. We’re going to the police and the school management in a moment. But nobody knows who the guy was. Fortunately, he never showed up."

Most of the perpetrators are no strangers

Statistically, criminal offenses in which children are approached by unfamiliar adults and taken against their will are comparatively rare in Germany. If such attacks actually happen, which often end with sexual abuse, it is usually – according to the investigators’ knowledge – not the evil stranger, but a person close to the victim.

According to a survey by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), in 35 percent of the 12,124 cases of sexual abuse of children listed by the Federal Statistical Office in the 2016 yearbook, there was no prior relationship between the perpetrator and the victim.

Overprotection hurts

But how can parents prepare their children for a possible encounter with a pushy stranger without causing panic? The police offer a good guide with lots of useful advice. The respective websites of the Hessian or North Rhine-Westphalian law enforcement officers point out that parents address the issue as carefully, objectively and calmly as possible.

The goal must always be to make people aware of dangers and to demonstrate appropriate behavior so that the youngsters internalize them without fear. Because the older children get, the more independent they also want to be and at some point master the way to school, to sports, to the supermarket or to friends alone – without the omnipresent, protective parents.

Confident children are less likely to be victims

The main aim of preventive self-protection measures is to strengthen the child’s self-confidence. Girls and boys who are allowed to move around alone outside of their parents’ home not only get to know and assess themselves, but also become more aware of their surroundings. 

This alone would prevent many dangers, because children were more likely to fall out of the typical victim role and say no, commented the Bonn police. "Perpetrators prefer to address children who seem insecure and dependent. Therefore, self-esteem is an effective protection."

When and how long children are allowed to travel alone is a matter of age and discretion. Rules for this should be established in every family.

How children should react – recommendations from the police

It makes sense for parents to practice certain rules of conduct with their offspring and make fixed agreements. The following tips can prevent dangers and help children to do the right thing in an emergency:

Keeping your distance If a child is approached by a stranger, it is important to keep your distance.