Support Services for Single Parents

If you wish to assert child support claims, you can request assistance from the Youth Welfare Office. The guardian ad litem will help you establish paternity legally and ensure that your child receives the child support to which they are entitled. If there is a dispute over child support, the guardian ad litem can represent your child in court proceedings regarding child support. Guardian ad litem services provided by the Youth Welfare Office are free of charge. Detailed information on legal representation and on submitting an informal application to your local Youth Welfare Office can be found here on the Familienportal.NRW website.

Low-income single-parent families can receive benefits under the so-called Education and Participation Package.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, your child is entitled, for example, to subsidies for recreational activities, field trips, or academic support. Detailed information on the benefits of the Education and Participation Package and on how to apply can be found on the Familienportal.NRW website.

If you are a single parent, you can also claim the tax relief for single parents. This amount reduces your taxable income and may result in a lower tax burden. The tax relief, which amounts to 4,260 euros per year, is granted under the following conditions:   

• You live in a shared household with at least one child and no other adult.   
• You are eligible for child benefit or a child tax credit for the child.  

For the second and each additional eligible child, the annual tax relief amount increases by 240 euros.

You can claim the tax relief amount on your income tax return. To do so, you must provide the relevant information regarding the tax relief amount in the “Child Attachment.” To benefit from the tax relief amount immediately rather than waiting for your tax refund, it is advisable to apply for tax class 2 with the tax office after your separation. This ensures that the tax relief amount is taken into account directly in your monthly payroll tax withholding.

You can find tips on choosing a tax class on the topic page “Tax Classes at a Glance” here on the Familienportal.NRW website.

Single parents can receive either child benefit or the child tax credit. If you are a single parent, you are generally entitled to half of the child tax credit. The other parent can claim the other half. Under certain conditions, however, you may also be eligible for the full child tax credit—for example, if the other parent lives abroad or fails to pay child support. The tax office automatically reviews your tax return to determine whether child benefit or the child tax credit is more tax-efficient for you. For more information on tax benefits, visit the Familienportal.NRW website.

Child support is always paid to only one parent. If you live apart, the parent in whose household the child lives most of the time receives the child support. If the other parent pays child support, that amount is reduced by half the amount of the child support. Information on applying for child benefit can be found on the Familienportal.NRW website.

Working single parents who have statutory health insurance are eligible for child sickness benefits if they are unable to work because they must care for a sick child. You can apply for child sickness benefits for 30 workdays in both 2024 and 2025. If you have multiple children, you are entitled to a total of up to 70 days of child sickness benefits per year. To be eligible for child sickness benefits, your child must be under the age of twelve or—regardless of age—have a disability or require assistance.

If the child is being treated in the hospital, the entitlement to child sickness benefits will be unlimited in duration starting in 2024, provided that the parent’s hospital stay is also medically necessary.

You can apply for child sickness benefits through your health insurance provider. You can also find more detailed information about child sickness benefits here on the Familienportal.NRW website.

Single parents, just like couples, are eligible for the child supplement if they are employed but still do not earn enough to provide for their children. The child supplement is paid in addition to child benefit and is intended to help cover the children’s basic needs. The amount of the supplement depends on the family’s income. You can check whether you’re eligible for the child supplement—with no obligation—using the KiZ-Lotse on the Federal Employment Agency’s website.   

Detailed information on how to apply and the eligibility requirements can be found on the Child Allowance page here on the Familienportal.NRW website.

Both parents are legally obligated to provide child support. The parent with whom the child lives fulfills their obligation by raising, caring for, and providing for the child. The other parent, who does not live in the same household, is generally required to pay what is known as cash child support. The amount of cash child support depends on various criteria, such as the child’s age and the income of the parent obligated to pay support, and is generally determined according to the Düsseldorf Table.  

Only if there is a case of financial hardship and the other parent’s net income falls below the statutory minimum income threshold are you not entitled to child support. If there is a so-called case of financial need , you should seek advice from the Youth Welfare Office.  

Special cases arise in the calculation of child support when there is extended visitation or when the parents share custody of the child in unequal proportions. In such cases, it is advisable to specify the custody arrangements in a joint child support agreement. It is advisable to consult an attorney when drafting the agreement.

On this topic page of the Family Portal, you will find detailed information on child support, the current support rates, and the deductible. The “STARK” portal provides a good overview of the legal situation and the calculation of child support in special cases under the topic child support and child benefits.

Under certain conditions, single parents who receive the citizen’s income or welfare benefits can apply for a supplement to receive additional financial support. Common reasons for applying for additional support include, for example, purchasing baby supplies during pregnancy, special childcare costs, or unexpected expenses such as medical treatment for illness or disability. The amount of the additional allowance depends on the age and number of children. If you receive social assistance, contact the social services office in your municipality. If you receive basic income support for job seekers, the job center is responsible for your case. Detailed information on additional needs can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

Shouldering the sole responsibility for raising children requires a great deal of strength and energy. This increased stress can lead to exhaustion, which manifests itself in various health conditions. If you are at increased health risk due to family-related stress or are already ill, you are legally entitled to a health retreat with or without your child. Learn more about the options available at mother-child or father-child health retreat or health retreats for mothers or fathers here on the Familienportal.NRW.

Under certain circumstances, single parents are also entitled to spousal support. For example, if you are unable to work because you are caring for a child. You can find more information on the Federal Ministry of Justice’s website regarding spousal support obligations of spouses after a divorce.

If you are having difficulty enforcing child support from the other parent, you have the option of applying for an advance on child support from the Youth Welfare Office. This advance is paid if the other parent does not meet their child support obligation, or does not meet it in full. You can find all the information about your entitlements and how to apply for an advance on child support online on the Advance on Child Support page here on the Familienportal.NRW website.

Housing assistance is a government subsidy that helps low-income single parents cover their housing costs. It is paid as a rent subsidy or a heating cost subsidy if income falls below a certain threshold. Eligibility for housing assistance depends on various factors, such as household size and income level.

Using the housing allowance calculator for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, you can calculate online—without obligation—the amount of housing allowance to which you may be entitled. After the calculation, you can use the tool to submit an online application directly to the housing allowance authority of the city or municipality where your residence is located.  

You can find important questions and answers about housing allowance, as well as an explanatory video, on the portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Local Government, Construction, and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Did you know that the state government subsidizes stays at family vacation resorts? The subsidy enables low-income single parents to take a short, relaxing vacation to spend time with their children and recharge.   

To find out how to book a stay and learn more about the offers, see the article “Vacation at a Family Vacation Center” here on the Familienportal.NRW website.