“Maximizing Benefits: Education and Participation Package for School Children under Citizen’s Allowance”

Citizens’ allowance: Personal school needs increased

There are benefits for education and participation as part of the citizen’s income. This money is paid additionally for parents of children who go to school. The money is intended for the costs of school trips, school supplies or a communal lunch. The entitlement to money for school materials such as books, notebooks, pens has even been increased in the last school year. The money for school supplies will be paid out at the beginning of the 2023/2024 school year, i.e. in August 2023. Another part will be paid out to the parents at the beginning of the second half of the school year, i.e. in February 2024. It is a lump sum.

58 euros were paid for school supplies and school materials in February 2023. In August 2023, 116 euros will be paid out at the start of the new school year.

The funds for school supplies are increased annually in the same percentage ratio as the standard rate. In 2024, an increase of probably 7 percent is expected, so that 62 euros would then be paid out in the second half of the school year and 124 euros at the beginning of the 2024/2025 school year.

Citizens’ allowance: Benefits from the education and participation package for schoolchildren

In addition to the money for school materials, which is paid twice a year as a lump sum, there are the services listed below from the education and participation package

• trips: The costs incurred for class trips or school trips will be covered. The same applies to excursions organized by the day care center.
• student transportation: In the event that the costs for trips to school by bus and train are not covered elsewhere, they will be paid by the job center from the education and participation package.
• tutoring: The costs for the necessary learning support, i.e. tutoring, are also paid in addition to the basic income standard rate. The prerequisite for the assumption of costs within the framework of the education package is not that the child’s promotion is at risk. Learning support should start beforehand. Free school offers must be used as a priority.
• Cost for lunch at school or daycare: As part of the benefits for education and participation, the bicosts for communal lunches in schools and day-care centers are also covered. There is no provision for parents to contribute themselves.
• 15 euros lump sum for sport, culture etc. : As part of the education and participation package, the job center provides a flat rate of 15 euros per child and month. In this way, the children of recipients of citizen’s income should be able to participate socially and culturally outside of school. For example, it is about membership in a sports club, a music school or participation in offers from independent cultural and social organizations.

Further detailed information on the benefits for education and participation as part of the citizen’s income can be found here: Education and participation

More on the topic here: Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)