Questions about Unterhaltsvorschuss while receiving jocenter money

Question

My daughter came to Germany last year July 2022 she was granted 25 ABS.5 and since I am still under Jobcenter, Jobcenter requested that l should register for **Unterhalt** which l did. The authorities are aware that her biological father is in Dubia. I have provided them with all his information that l know. From March until now that l registered her, l haven’t received any reply from as to whether she qualifies or not.  I have made enquiries and all that they tells me is that they are working on it.

I will like to find out from you, if my daughter 11years still qualifies for unterhalt if the father is in another country. If yes, what should I do next?

Thank you

Answer 1

Dear @Lydia,

Welcome back to the Wefugees Community and thank your for your question.

I remember that we discussed your application and the residence permit requirements for "Unterhaltsvorschuss" a few months ago here.

In general, single parents/children can also receive "Unterhaltsvorschuss" if one parent is abraod (and not paying the child allowance) or even unknown. As my colleague explained in your earlier opened thread on this topic, as an applicant you are obliged to give all information to the "Jugendamt" (which you did, apparently).

If you receive jobcenter money, it is also in the jobcenter's interest that you apply for "Unterhaltsvorschuss" which would be considered /deducted from the jobcenter's allowance. Once your child will turn 12 years old and you still receive jobcenter money, you will only be entitled to the "Unterhaltsvorschuss" if you are working as well with an income of minimum 600 EUR per month.

If they are working on the application since March it is indeed very long. But I am afraid that there is not much you can do to fasten the process as long as you provided all necessary information. Important is that the jobcenter is not making any trouble and keeps paying your full unemployment money. I recommend to keep them updated on the process. But there are no problems so far, right?

Do you agree with my explanations dear @mbeon-Éanna?

All the best,

Meike

Comments

Yes @Meike I agree completely. If your application for the Unterhaltsvorschuss is approved, then the money for the past months from the Jugendamt will be paid to the Jobcenter. The Jobcenter and Jugendamt generally resolve this between themselves. Then for the future you will receive the Unterhaltsvorschuss from Jugendamt and you will receive less Bürgergeld from the Jobcenter. You will continue to have the same amount of money, just instead of it all coming from the Jobcenter, some will also be from the Jugendamt. 

On a seperate note, be aware that Jobcenter provide some additional benefits for children in school. These benefits are called 'Bildung und Teilhabe'. They include money for the following: 

• School transport ticket 
• School day trips and overnight school tours 
• School food 
• Extra tutoring if your daughter needs help in certain subjects (called Nachhilfe) 
• School materials 
• Membership of a sports club or music lessons 

Here is more about this: 

https://***-arbeitsagentur-de.translate.goog/familie-und-kinder/informationen-zum-bildungspaket?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=tru