For parents who rely on public assistance, it is often difficult to provide their children with the same opportunities for leisure activities or at school as children from higher-income families. Yet children and young people in need are also entitled to participate in day trips and shared lunches at school and daycare, as well as in music, sports, and games in clubs and groups. This is where the educational and participation benefits of the so-called “education package” come in. Up to 2.5 million children and adolescents can benefit from the “Education Package.”

The support covers the following areas:

Up to age 18:

• Participation in social and cultural life—for example, in a sports club or music school—is supported with up to 15.00 EUR per month.

Up to age 25:

• Personal school supplies are subsidized with 174.00 EUR annually (116.00 EUR for the first semester, 58.00 EUR for the second semester).
• Costs for supplementary, appropriate learning support are covered to the extent that such support is necessary to achieve the learning objectives set forth in school regulations.
• For one-day field trips organized by schools, daycare centers, and family daycare providers, the actual costs are reimbursed.
• For multi-day field trips organized by daycare centers and in home-based child care, as well as for school trips conducted in accordance with school regulations, the actual costs are covered.
• Subsidies are paid for communal lunches for students (if the school is responsible) as well as for children in daycare centers and in home-based childcare.
• The necessary actual expenses for transportation to the nearest school offering the chosen educational program (monthly student passes) are covered.

• Children and adolescents up to age 25 are eligible to apply,
  • who cannot cover their educational and participation needs with their own income and assets or with their family’s income and assets, and who are therefore entitled to 
    • basic income support for job seekers or 
    • social assistance
    • benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act 
  • or whose families receive the following benefits:
    • Child supplement or
    • housing allowance
• Age limit for benefits to participate in cultural, sports, and recreational activities: 18 years

You can receive benefits for education and participation upon application.

• If possible, check with the appropriate office in advance to find out the easiest way to apply for benefits from the education package. The staff will also help you with the application process upon request.
• Fill out the required forms, sign the application, and gather the necessary supporting documents. 
  • Note: If you receive the Citizen’s Income, you apply for education and participation benefits at the same time as you apply for the Citizen’s Income. This also applies to benefits intended to support your child’s education.
• Send the complete application documents by mail to the appropriate office or submit them in person.
• You will receive written notification regarding whether your child is eligible and which programs they can participate in.

Note:

The implementation of the education package is organized locally in the districts and independent cities and may differ from the procedures described here. However, as a general rule, anyone receiving the Bürgergeld should typically contact the Jobcenter to apply for benefits under the education package. The same applies to cases of so-called “needs-based eligibility.” Even at the Jobcenter, the education package is implemented by the districts and independent cities. There, you will also receive information if the education package is administered outside the Jobcenter. The Job Centers are not responsible for families receiving social assistance, housing assistance, the child supplement, or benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. The districts or independent cities (which can be reached, for example, at city hall, the citizens’ office, or the district administration) will direct you to the appropriate contact person.

The legal recourse available to applicants is outlined in the respective decision on the application.

• Validity period: 12 months
  Entitlement to benefits under the Education and Participation Package in accordance with the Federal Child Benefit Act (for families receiving child allowance or housing benefit) expires 12 months after the end of the calendar month in which it arose.

• If applicable, provide the child benefit number
• Proof of financial need, for example, through a notice regarding:
  • Child supplement
  • Housing allowance
  • Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
• If applicable, invoices, receipts, and other supporting documents
• Certificates from the school, if necessary

The responsible agency will inform you of any additional documents that may be required.

There are no costs involved.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

Online services available: No