Social security benefit is a partial performance of Unemployment Benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II) for non-employable relatives who are living in a community of employable members of a household in need of benefit. Even if students are exempted from the benefits of Arbeitslosengeld II as a rule, students’ children, who have not completed their fifteenth year, may receive social security benefit if their livelihood is not secured otherwise. From the age of fifteen onwards, children are entitled to Unemployment Benefit II themselves.

When applying for social security benefit, the employment office starts with calculating the child’s need. According to the regulations of the Social Security Code II (SGB II), this need is composed of the so-called standard rate and the housing costs pro rata. During the following calculation of income the child’s income (child allowance, alimony or advance child maintenance payment) and surplus parental income will be counted against the child’s need. During the ascertainment of the parental income, the Student loan (BAföG) maximum rate is taken as education-related need plus potential increased demand due to pregnancy-or single parenthood student need.Any income exceeding this need is consequently counted against the payable social security benefit. Any exceeding child’s income may only be counted against the need of the other members of a household in need of benefit up to the amount of child allowance.

You will find further information about the amount of standard benefit, application procedure and legal basis at the Familien-Wegweiser des Bundesministeriums für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (Family Guide of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth).