Apply for maintenance advance

is entitled to advance maintenance payments:

• anyone who has not yet reached the age of twelve and
  • lives in the area of application of this Act with one of his/her parents who is single, widowed or divorced or lives permanently separated from his/her spouse or partner, and
  • does not or does not regularly receive maintenance from the other parent or, if this parent or a step-parent has died, orphan's allowances of at least the amount specified in § 2 paragraphs 1 and 2.

Furthermore, the following are entitled from the age of twelve

• who has not yet reached the age of eighteen if:
  • the child does not receive any benefits in accordance with the Second Book of the Social Code (jenarbeit) or the child's need for assistance in accordance with § 9 of the Second Book of the Social Code can be avoided by the maintenance payment or
  • the parent according to para. 1 no. 2 has an income of at least € 600.00 with the exception of child benefit.

How much is the maintenance advance?

After deducting the child benefit to be paid for a first child, the following advance maintenance amounts result in accordance with Section 2 of the Maintenance Advance Act (Unterhaltsvorschussgesetz - UhVorschG):

From 01.01.2025

Does the maintenance advance have to be repaid?

According to § 7 UhVorschG, it is generally assumed that the maintenance payments advanced by the state must be repaid. You can find out more about this (how, when and under what specific conditions this is the case for you) from the responsible caseworker in the "Recourse Processing" department.

You can access the online application via -> Links. Before completing the application, please read the information sheet which you can find under -> Downloads. Here you can find out to what extent you are entitled to benefits for your child(ren) under the UhVorschG. You will also find information on how to complete the application itself, the documents you need to bring with you when applying and your obligations to cooperate while receiving benefits.

Submitting an application by post or online does not save the applicant parent from having to appear in person. Therefore, please hand in your application and the relevant documents during the office hours stated above.

You will then receive an initial consultation from us. We will check whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the benefit. In addition, you will receive instructions on file and have the opportunity to ask questions.

• Act on Securing the Maintenance of Children of Single Mothers and Fathers through Maintenance Advances or Loss of Maintenance Payments (Maintenance Advance Act)