Government Benefits for Families

You receive child benefit regardless of your income for each child from birth until at least their 18th birthday. You can find all information about child benefit, an explanatory video, and links to the relevant online applications here on the Familienportal.NRW website.

If your family is struggling financially and your income isn’t enough to support your family, you may be eligible for a monthly child supplement in addition to child benefit. Find out here on the Familienportal.NRW website what the requirements are for receiving the child supplement and how to apply for it.

Mothers and fathers can take part of their parental leave between their child’s 3rd and 8th birthdays. For parental leave taken after your child’s third birthday, please note the following special provisions:

• If your child was born before July 1, 2015, you may carry over a maximum of 12 months to the period after your child’s third birthday. You must notify your employer of your parental leave no later than 7 weeks before the planned start date. Protection against termination begins 8 weeks before the start of parental leave.
• If your child was born after July 1, 2015, you are entitled to a maximum of 24 months of parental leave starting on your child’s third birthday. You must notify your employer of your intention to take parental leave after your child’s third birthday 13 weeks before the planned start date. Protection against termination begins 14 weeks before the start of parental leave.

Your employer must approve your request. Rejection would only be possible for urgent operational reasons. You can find more useful information about parental leave here on the Familienportal.NRW website.

When your child is sick, he or she needs special care. To ensure your child is cared for during this time, you can apply for sick child days.

The following also applies for the year 2026:

• Parents with statutory health insurance are entitled to 15 days of sick child benefits per child covered by statutory health insurance. A parent may take a maximum of 35 sick child days per calendar year.
• Single parents are entitled to 30 workdays per child, up to a maximum of 70 workdays per calendar year.
• Parents who are admitted to a hospital together with their sick child are also entitled to child sickness benefits for the duration of their stay. These days are not counted toward the 15 actual days of child sickness benefits. This is contingent on the joint hospitalization being medically necessary.
• In addition, there are new accommodations for parents: A doctor’s visit is not required until the fourth day of illness. Previously, parents had to submit a doctor’s note from the pediatrician’s office as early as the first day.  

On the website of the Federal Ministry of Health, you will find further information and answers to frequently asked questions. A sample certificate for applying for sick child allowance can be found here.

All children and adolescents should have the opportunity to participate. If parents have low incomes, they can apply for benefits from the Education and Participation Package, which opens up opportunities for participation in many educational, cultural, and sports activities. This financial assistance can be used to participate in programs offered by daycare centers and child care providers, schools, and recreational activities. On this website from Familienportal.NRW, we’ve compiled important information for you about the individual benefits, the application process, and an explanatory video.

Are you a single parent who receives no child support—or does not receive it regularly—for your child or children? If so, you can apply for an advance on child support from the Youth Welfare Office. You can find everything you need to know about this, as well as a application form, on the Familienportal.NRW website

Do you also feel like it’s time for a family getaway again—to take a break from everyday life and recharge your batteries? Maybe you think you can’t afford an expensive vacation. Nonprofit family vacation centers offer an affordable alternative to expensive independent vacations. Never heard of them? Then check out the offers on the Familienportal.NRW website. Under certain conditions, you may receive a subsidy from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for stays at selected family vacation centers.