Advance on maintenance payments; application

Advance maintenance payments online
Please note in particular our information under:

  • Brief description

    You can apply for an advance on maintenance payments if you are a single parent and the parent liable to pay maintenance does not pay any or too little maintenance for the child.

  • Description

    You can apply for an advance on maintenance payments for your child if the other parent does not pay maintenance for the child, pays less than the advance on maintenance payments or pays irregularly and if you raise the child in your household predominantly without the other parent. The child's main place of residence must be in your household. You have not (re)married.
    The benefit is also payable if the other parent is deceased.

    If you meet the eligibility requirements, the maintenance advance will be paid until your child reaches the age of majority.

    The amount of the maintenance advance depends on the age of the children and has been a maximum monthly amount since January 1, 2025:

    • for children from 0 to 5 years up to 227 euros,
    • for children from 6 to 11 years up to 299 euros,
    • up to 394 euros for children aged 12 to 17.

    Together with the child benefit (since 1.1.2025: € 255/month), the benefit covers the child's minimum maintenance.

    The Free State of Bavaria reclaims maintenance from the other parent in the amount of the advance payment, provided that the requirements under maintenance law are met.

  • Prerequisites

    The child

    • receives no, little or only irregular maintenance from the other parent or orphan's benefits that are below the amount of the maintenance advance,
    • lives in Germany,
    • for a parent who is single, widowed, divorced or permanently separated.

    Special additional conditions apply to children aged twelve and over. They are only entitled if

    • the child does not receive benefits according to the Social Security Code II (citizen's allowance) or
    • the child's need for assistance can be avoided through the advance on maintenance payments or
    • the parent providing care has an income of at least € 600.

    There is therefore no entitlement in the following cases, for example:

    • Both parents live together in the same household or the child is cared for to a significant extent by the other parent.
    • The parent with whom the child lives has remarried.
    • The child lives in a home or in full-time care.
    • The mother, who is not married to the father, does not cooperate in establishing paternity and his whereabouts.
      Cooperation also includes the mother doing everything reasonable to find the father as soon as the pregnancy is established.

    Children with foreign nationality are entitled to advance maintenance payments under certain conditions.

    Certain income is offset against the maintenance advance, in particular

    • Maintenance payments received
    • Orphan's benefits
    • for children who no longer attend a general school, their own income.

  • Deadlines

    Advance maintenance payments can also be granted retroactively for one month if the requirements were already met at the time and maintenance has already been claimed from the other parent.

  • Required documents

    Central documents are

    • Birth certificate of the child
    • Identity card or passport of the single parent
    • for foreign children or parents who are not entitled to freedom of movement: ID and a valid residence permit
    • Confirmation of registration (or, if applicable, consent to information by the registration authority)


    and, for example, depending on the individual case

    • Maintenance title (e.g. current maintenance determination, maintenance certificate, judgment or order)
    • Divorce decree
    • for unmarried parents: Acknowledgment or establishment of paternity
    • Evidence of
      • Maintenance payments
      • Reminders for maintenance payments
    • Job center notices (for children aged 12 and over)
    • School certificate (for children aged 15 and over)
    • Decision on the half-orphan's pension
    • Notices of approval/cancellation of benefits under the Maintenance Advance Act from other maintenance advance offices

    Depending on the individual case, different documents may be required. Evidence from other authorities can possibly be replaced by consent to the provision of information by this authority. Information on this can be obtained from the maintenance advance office.

     

  • Forms

    Special information for - District of Bad Tölz Wolfratshausen

  • Legal basis

  • Further links

  • Procedure

    • You can apply for advance maintenance payments in writing to the youth welfare office responsible for your place of residence. An electronic application is possible if the authority provides a corresponding online procedure.

    • The documents required in addition to the application form (see "Required documents") depend on the individual case.

  • Notes

    You are obliged to inform the youth welfare office of any changes, for example if

    • You are moving,
    • They get married,
    • you move in with the other parent,
    • the amount of childcare provided by the other parent is not only slightly increased,
    • the other parent pays maintenance,
    • you become aware of the previously unknown whereabouts of the other parent,
    • your child no longer attends a general school and the child's income changes or
    • your child no longer lives with you.

    It is important to follow the instructions on the application form, information sheet and notification from the maintenance advance office.


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