Full-time care; receipt of care allowance and benefits

In the case of full-time care in accordance with Section 33 of Book Eight of the German Social Code (SGB VIII), foster families take in a child whose family of origin has inadequate upbringing conditions for a certain period of time or permanently and care for and raise it.

Full-time care in accordance with Section 33 of Book VIII of the Social Code (SGB VIII) is an educational aid that is granted by the youth welfare office responsible for the case if it has been determined as appropriate in the context of the assistance plan procedure.

When the youth welfare office places a child with a foster family, it undertakes to ensure the child's necessary upkeep by paying a foster allowance.

The foster care allowance is determined by the respective youth welfare office. The care allowance is graded according to the age of the foster child and is made up of the amount for the costs of material expenses and the costs of care and upbringing. The amount for material costs is based on the expenses that have to be paid directly for the foster child, i.e. for food, clothing, rent, electricity, heating, school materials, pocket money, toys, contributions to sports clubs, etc. The costs of upbringing are a contribution in recognition of the special educational achievements of the foster carers.

The "Recommendations of the Bavarian Association of Counties and the Bavarian Association of Cities for full-time care in accordance with SGB VIII" (recommendation as of January 1, 2024) provide guidance on the amount of the flat-rate care allowance:

• EUR 1,060 for age group 0 to the age of 6,
• EUR 1,202 for the 7th to 12th year of age,
• EUR 1,390 from the age of 13.

If the foster carer is a direct relative of the child (grandparents, great-grandparents) and is able to support the child, the care allowance can be reduced appropriately to cover material expenses. The minors and their parents will contribute to the costs according to their means in accordance with the regulations on cost contributions.

If necessary in individual cases, in addition to the monthly care allowance, an additional amount can be paid for special care and/or a contribution for certain purchases - for example for the initial equipment of the foster family, important personal occasions (e.g. baptism, first communion, confirmation) or vacation and vacation trips for the foster child.

The care allowance also includes an entitlement to reimbursement of proven expenses for contributions to accident insurance and half of the proven expenses for appropriate old-age provision for carers. These are reimbursed monthly in a lump sum. Foster parents should always speak to their local youth welfare office before concluding a corresponding insurance contract.

Child benefit for foster children is offset against current benefits in accordance with the statutory provisions.

The child or young person lives as a foster child in a foster family on the basis of a decision by the Youth Welfare Office.

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• § Section 27 (3) Social Security Code VIII (SBG VIII)
• § Section 33 of the German Social Code VIII (SGB VIII)
• § Section 39 of Social Code VIII (SGB VIII)

• PFAD FÜR KINDER - Landesverband Bayern e.V.
• Information on full-time care on the homepage of the Bavarian State Youth Welfare Office

Once you have taken the child into your family, you will receive a monthly lump-sum care allowance from the Youth Welfare Office.

An application is not required.

Maintenance payments are made for as long as the child is in full-time care.

The Landesverband der Pflege- und Adoptivfamilien in Bayern e.V. is an association of foster carers. It advises and supports them in all matters.

• Educational assistance; application for educational assistance
• Foster parents; application