This page has been translated automatically. There may therefore be deviations or inaccuracies in the text. Legal claims are excluded.

Apply for advance maintenance payments for children of single parents

  • Service description

    If you are a single parent, your child is generally entitled to maintenance from the other parent. If the other parent pays maintenance

    • not
    • incomplete or
    • irregularly,

    you can apply for an advance on maintenance payments.

    Children with a deceased parent may also be entitled to an advance on maintenance payments if no or insufficient orphan's benefits are paid.

    The child's centre of life must clearly be in your household. This means that you are not entitled to an advance on maintenance payments if you use the alternating model. You must not have married a new partner.

    If the eligibility requirements are met, you will receive the maintenance advance until your child reaches the age of majority.

    The amount of the maintenance advance is calculated from the amount of the respective minimum maintenance rates less child benefit and, if applicable, less any maintenance payments or orphan's benefits already received.

    The following amounts currently apply (as at: 2026):

    • for children up to 5 years EUR 227.00 per month
    • for children from 6 to 11 years EUR 299.00 per month
    • for children from 12 to 17 years EUR 394.00 per month

    The maintenance advance is always paid at the beginning of a calendar month and can be applied for retroactively for 1 month.

  • Prerequisites

    The following requirements must be met for the authorisation of advance maintenance payments:

    If your child is under 12 years old:

    • Child maintenance is not paid or is only paid incompletely or irregularly, or no or insufficient orphan's benefits are paid.
    • Your child is resident or ordinarily resident in Germany.
    • You are a single parent. You are also considered a single parent if you are widowed.
    • You and the child must live in the same household.
    • Foreign children are only entitled to this if they have certain residence permits.
    • In exceptional cases and under certain conditions, it is also possible to receive an advance on maintenance payments if you live abroad with your child.

    If your child is between 12 and 17 years old, the following conditions must also be met:

    • Your child does not receive a citizen's allowance.
    • Advance maintenance payments can prevent your child from needing assistance.
    • You have a gross monthly income of at least EUR 600.00 and may receive supplementary citizen's allowance.

  • Which documents are required?

    • Application form

    Depending on the individual case, this may also be necessary:

    • the birth certificate of the child concerned
    • the identity card of the single parent
    • Confirmation of registration or information from the register of residents
    • for foreign children or parents:
      • ID card
      • valid proof of residence permit
    • Maintenance title:
      • Current maintenance determination, maintenance certificate, judgement, decision
    • in the event of marital separation:
      • Divorce decree, if applicable, letter from the lawyer about the date of separation
    • for unmarried parents:
      • Acknowledgement or establishment of paternity
    • Proof of income:
      • Child benefit
      • Half-orphan's pension, if applicable
      • Maintenance payments, if applicable
    • If applicable, authorisation or cessation notices regarding benefits under the Maintenance Advance Act from other maintenance advance offices
    • from the age of 12, if you are currently receiving SGB II benefits, a complete, up-to-date notification from the job centre
    • from the age of 15, additionally the school certificate or, from the end of school attendance, proof of income.

  • What fees are charged?

    There are no costs.

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    Advance maintenance payments can be granted retroactively for 1 month if the requirements were already met at that time.

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    • Contradiction
      • Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification.

  • What else should I know?

    The following information is available:

    • The other parent must repay the maintenance advance to the maintenance advance office. If the person liable to pay maintenance does not pay, the maintenance advance office can sue for repayment and enforce it.

  • Further information

  • Short text

    • Advance maintenance payments can be made if child maintenance is not paid, only paid incompletely or irregularly or orphan's benefits are too low
    • Child must be resident or ordinarily resident in Germany
    • Foreign children are only entitled to this if they have certain residence permits
    • Child must be a minor
      • Entitlement up to a maximum of 18 years of age
    • Parent must be a single parent, for example also widowed
    • Parent and child must live in the same household
    • Parent must not be (newly) married
    • Advance maintenance payments can also be granted if it is not clear who the father is
      • However, the single parent is obliged to co-operate in establishing paternity
    • Height (status - 2026):
      • Children up to 5 years EUR 227.00 per month
      • Children from 6 to 11 years EUR 299.00 per month
      • Children from 12 to 17 years EUR 394.00 per month

  • Author

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal

  • Professionally approved by

    Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ)

  • Applications / Forms


Start your request directly online

Responsible departments