Everything you need to know about financial assistance for families Bürgergeld
How is Bürgergeld calculated for a family with three children? Let's review the details. In Germany, individuals who are capable of working but are unemployed or in need of assistance are eligible for Bürgergeld. This social assistance was implemented starting January 1, 2023, and serves as a replacement for the previous Hartz IV system. The aim of Bürgergeld is to secure a minimum standard of living for affected individuals, and it is also available for those whose income is insufficient to cover their daily expenses.
The financial amounts needed for a family to live depend on several factors. Therefore, the amount of Bürgergeld varies from case to case. A single person receives a lower amount than a couple with a child, and the couple receives less than a family of four. Below is information about Bürgergeld for a family with three children. The amount of Bürgergeld for the family is determined according to the law of need. The assistance consists of a basic amount called "Regelbedarf," which varies according to the number of family members and the ages of the children. According to the table issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS), the amounts are as follows:
Single person or sole provider: 563 euros Couple of adults: each 506 euros Adults aged 18 to 24 without a family of their own: 451 euros Children aged 14 to 17: 471 euros Children aged 6 to 13: 390 euros Children aged 0 to 5 years: 357 euros
These amounts come together to determine the level of support for a family with three children. The parents receive a total of 1012 euros, in addition to the amounts allocated for the children, which range from 357 to 471 euros, resulting in a total ranging from 1071 to 1413 euros based on the ages of the children. Housing costs such as rent and utilities are covered by the employment centers, provided that these costs are reasonable, as the apartment must consist of five rooms or have an area of 100 to 105 square meters for a family of five.
In addition to the basic amount, there are also "Mehrbedarfe" that may increase the total amount. For example, if there is a fourth child on the way, the pregnant mother is entitled to an increase of 17% of the basic amount starting from the thirteenth week of pregnancy. The amount is also affected by other revenues, such as child benefits. With three children, the benefit can reach 765 euros. If there is additional income, it is deducted from Bürgergeld. The exemption limits changed on July 1, 2023, as the allowable income limits were raised, meaning that a certain percentage of costs can be excluded from Bürgergeld depending on the category. Families can use the dedicated Bürgergeld calculator to understand their potential support amount, and they are usually informed of the final amount through the relevant employment center.