Advance Child Support Payments in Easy-to-Read Language

Are you raising your child on your own?

Then the other parent must pay money for your child.

This money is also called child support.  

But:

• Maybe the other parent doesn’t pay any money.
• Or the other parent only pays money sometimes.
• Or the other parent pays only a small amount of money.

In that case, you can receive an advance on child support. 
The child support advance is money from the government.

It’s to make sure the child is taken care of. 

You can use the money to pay for important things for the child:

• Food
• Clothing
• Housing
• School
• Leisure activities
• Pocket money

• Who is eligible for child support?
• How much in advance child support can you receive?
• Do you have to repay the advance child support?
• Where can you get help?
• Where do you file your application?

You may be eligible for an advance on child support:

• Your child is under 18 years old.
• You are a single parent. 
  This means:
  You are the sole caregiver for your child.
  And your child lives with you.
• The other parent does not pay child support for your child. 
  Or the other parent does not pay child support for your child on a regular basis.
  Or the other parent pays too little child support for your child.

Is your child between 12 and 17 years old?
If so, there are additional rules:

Your child will not receive any basic income support. 

or

you receive basic income support.

In that case, the following also applies:

You earn at least 600 euros gross per month. 

This amount must be calculated without child benefit.

Is your child under 12 years old and receiving basic income support?  

In that case, the advance on child support is deducted from the basic income support.
This means:
The child receives less basic income support.

How much in advance child support does your child receive?
That depends on your child's age. 

Do you also receive child benefit?
The child benefit is deducted from the advance on child support.

Then you will receive a maximum of: 

• Ages 0 to 5: 227 euros
• Ages 6 to 11: 299 euros
• Ages 12 to 17: 394 euros

You’ll receive the advance child support payment 
until the child turns 18.
The advance child support payment is made every month.
The family always receives the money at the beginning of the month.

Is the other parent not paying child support?

Then the government pays the money for the child.

Does the other parent have money later on?

Then they must repay the money to the government. 

The government checks: Does the other parent have money?

To find out, the government asks. 

For example:

• from their employer

• from the tax office

•               from insurance companies

• from social security agencies

If the parent still doesn’t pay?

Then the government can collect the money by force.

We're happy to help you.

You can visit the Advance Child Support Office.

You can also call

or send an email. 

You can search online for the Advance Child Support Office in your city.

The website is

https://www.familienportal.nrw/de/unterhaltsvorschuss-nrw

Enter your ZIP code or city. 

You’ll then receive all the information you need.

The site is not in easy-to-read language.

In most cities, you can submit the application online. 

The website is www.unterhaltsvorschuss-online.de.

The application is not available in easy-to-read language.  

Or you can submit an application to the Youth Welfare Office in your city.

You must submit the application in writing.

We’re happy to help you.

Come in for a consultation.