Prerequisites for Education and Participation
If you meet these requirements, you are eligible for benefits for education and participation.
You are eligible for benefits under the Education and Participation Package if you or your child receives one of the following benefits:
- Basic Income Support for Job Seekers
- Livelihood Assistance
- Basic Income Support for the Elderly and Those with Reduced Earning Capacity
- Housing Allowance
- Child Supplement
- Benefits for Asylum Seekers.
In addition, you may be eligible for benefits under the Education Package pursuant to Book II or Book XII of the Social Code if you or your child—as parents—do not otherwise receive any of the aforementioned social benefits but are unable to cover the child’s specific educational and participation needs. In this case, please contact your local Jobcenter.
Benefits under the education package are generally paid for children up to age 25. However, benefits for participation in cultural, sports, and recreational activities (such as music school or a sports club) are only paid up to age 18.
Tip
It turns out that many families are unaware that they are eligible for housing assistance or the child supplement. It is therefore worth looking into this. These benefits can supplement your family’s income and, at the same time, give your child access to the services included in the education and participation package. You can find more information about housing assistance on the website of the Ministry of Construction of North Rhine-Westphalia and on the child supplement here on the Familienportal.NRW.
