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Family on a walk: is there an even higher child benefit?
Photo: Roberto Pfeil / dpa
The federal government wants to provide far more financial support for families than previously planned.
The specialist politicians of the traffic light groups of the SPD, Greens and FDP agreed on Wednesday on an increase to 250 euros on January 1, 2023, said the financial policy spokesman for the FDP, Markus Herbrand, the Reuters news agency.
The financial policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Michael Schrodi, also confirmed to SPIEGEL that there was an agreement among the traffic light's specialist politicians.
Child benefit for the first and second child is currently 219 euros per month.
For the third child, 225 euros are currently paid.
From the fourth child there is already 250 euros.
So far, an increase to 237 euros for the first three children was planned for the beginning of 2023.
The Bundestag is scheduled to vote on the new sum on Thursday.
“The traffic light goes a step further when it comes to relieving families,” said SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.
This means an important additional monthly relief, especially for families with small and middle incomes.
FDP parliamentary group leader Christoph Meyer said: "This is the largest increase in child benefit in the history of the Federal Republic."
In the future, child benefit in Germany is to be replaced by basic child security that would combine various family benefits.
There should then be an income-independent guaranteed amount for all children and young people.
Families with a low income should receive an additional amount.
Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) wants the first money from this basic security to be paid out in 2025.
Nothing is known about the height.
With the agreement on child benefit, the coalition agreed on changes to the Inflation Compensation Act, which is to be passed by the Bundestag on Thursday.
"With the agreement on the reduction of the cold progression based on the autumn projection, we ensure that all taxpayers have more money available and are no longer asked to pay additional taxes through hidden tax increases," said FDP politician Herbrand.
"Together with the increase in child benefit to 250 euros and necessary changes in the solidarity surcharge law, the coalition has put together an overall package that also takes into account the individual ability of families and high earners." Now "the federal states are called upon to support the path of relief and not blocked by excessive demands".
mmq/kev/Reuters/dpa
