The traffic light parties want to combat child poverty in Germany with basic child security.
The Family Ministry has now presented the cornerstones for the major reform.
An overview.
Munich – The plans for basic child security are progressing slowly.
The Ministry of Family Affairs sent key points for the project to other departments involved on Wednesday, as a spokesman for the AFP news agency said on Thursday.
The aim of the reform is to reach more families and fight child poverty through a simpler structure and easier access.
An overview.
Why should there be basic child security?
Basic child security has been discussed for years.
Social associations, child protection and family organizations have been calling for them for a long time.
The various state benefits for children, such as child benefit, child supplement, benefits for children in receipt of basic income, subsidies for school and leisure activities and tax allowances for children are to be summarized in it and paid out unbureaucratically.
So far, many families have not applied for funds due to ignorance or bureaucratic hurdles, which, according to Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens), leads to "hidden poverty".
The cornerstones of the project that have now been presented are the basis for a draft law that is to be drawn up by autumn.
The plans in detail:
What is planned for child support
Current:
For each child up to the age of 25, the state currently pays child benefit of 250 euros per month to the parents.
At the same time, there are so-called child allowances: A certain proportion of income, depending on the number of children, on which no taxes are due.
High incomes benefit from this.
When calculating the tax, the tax office automatically determines whether child benefit or allowances are more worthwhile for the parents.
If it is the allowance, it will be offset against the child benefit that has already been paid out.
Top earners are more relieved by the state than low earners with child benefit.
In the future:
instead of today's child benefit, there should be an equal "guaranteed amount" for basic child security for every child, plus an additional amount staggered depending on the family's financial situation, so that children in poor families get the most.
The amount of the guarantee should initially at least correspond to the child benefit, but "perspectively" "the maximum relief effect of the tax child allowance".
According to the ministry, this is currently 354 euros per month.
If the children are 18 and move out, the money should go directly to them and also serve as a “base” for financing studies and training.
Child allowance and Co.: What happens to other services
Current:
Families with low incomes, but who don't have so little that they are dependent on citizen's income, can apply for "child allowance" in addition to child allowance.
Depending on the financial situation, there is a maximum of 250 euros per child.
In addition, these families, like families receiving basic income, are entitled to benefits from the so-called education and participation package.
The state covers the costs for school trips, school trips, music school, sports club and school supplies for children.
In the future:
These benefits should no longer have to be applied for separately, but should be included in the basic child security system.
Accordingly, the “additional amount” will be paid out in addition to the “guaranteed amount” mentioned.
"The maximum additional amount of the basic child security is set in such a way that, together with the guaranteed amount, it covers the child's age-based subsistence level," says the key points.
In the future, applications will be made via a “child protection portal”
Currently:
child benefit, child allowance, benefits from the education and participation package must be applied for at different places;
Child benefit and child supplement from the family benefits office of the Federal Employment Agency, benefits from the participation package from municipal offices and job centers.
This is partly done electronically, partly using paper forms.
Those affected must actively take care of it themselves.
Keeping perspective is difficult.
In the future:
Plans are for a “basic child security portal with a user-friendly, intelligent application system” and an “automated “basic child security check””.
By comparing data with the tax authorities and the pension insurance system, the child protection office should point out to families that they may be entitled to further payments.
The principle is also described in this way in the Ministry for Family Affairs: the previous debt of the citizens to bring becomes a debt of the state.
When is the basic child security paid out?
However, it will still be a while before the basic child security is paid out for the first time.
First of all, the cornerstones are to be decided in the cabinet in February.
Then the work on the formulated draft law begins.
The legislative process should start before the end of the year.
Basic child security is not to be introduced until 2025.
The fact that it takes so long is also due to the complexity.
Many social and tax laws need to be changed.
(lma/dpa/AFP)
