State family benefits

State benefits for families can be roughly divided into two categories:
a) Family benefits

• Tax benefit for married couples (spousal splitting tax system)
• Child benefit/child allowance
• Benefits under the Advance Maintenance Payments Act (for single parents who do not receive child maintenance from the other parent)
• Parental allowance

b) Social benefits (for families with low income)

• Supplementary child allowance
• Housing benefit
• Benefits under SGB 2 (Second Book of the Social Security Code) (also known as Hartz 4 or ALG 2)
• Benefits under the Federal Participation Act (short BUT)

For quick clarity and an overview of family and social benefits to which you are entitled in your individual situation, we recommend this information tool from the BMFSJF.
Important note for international academics who are in Germany for the purpose of training (residence permit according to §16 or §18): You may not apply for or claim any social benefits because this would risk your residence title. There are two exceptions to this rule:

• 1) The assumption of childcare costs (day care centre, day carer, holiday care for school children) by the Youth Welfare Office. This benefit is called “Wirtschaftliche Jugendhilfe” (abbr. WiJuHi) and can be applied for at the Youth Welfare Office in your place of residence.
• 2) Financial help for the (baby's) first equipment from the Federal Foundation Mother and Child, which can be applied for in Göttingen, for example, through ProFamilia.

The Family Service does not have an emergency fund for difficult financial situations, but is available to advise you on your individual situation. Other points of contact on campus:

• The social service of the Student Union
• The Graduate Schools
• Göttingen International