The Corona crisis is taking a toll on all of us, not only psychologically, but in many cases financially as well. The current situation is certainly more than a strain for your child as well. For this reason, the child bonus has been decided for 2021, which is intended to provide parents with a little financial relief. All legal guardians will receive a one-time payment of 150 euros in May 2021. But what are the concrete requirements that must be met in order to receive the child bonus? In this article, we will take a closer look at whether your child is also eligible for the child bonus.
Table of contents
Requirements
In order for you to receive the child bonus in times of Corona, basic requirements must first be met. In order to be eligible for child benefit, your child must be under 18 years of age. However, if your child is studying or undergoing training, you can also receive child benefit for a longer period of time if you present the appropriate certificate. In addition, your child must live in the same household as you and come from Germany or another EU country. The corresponding amount will then finally be transferred to one of the parents.
Who Receives The Child Bonus?
If the above-mentioned requirements are met, you do not have to do anything else or fill out a special application. Instead, you will receive the said 150 euros as usual via your bank account. Since this is a special payment, it will not be transferred on the usual date, but will be made separately. According to current information, the payment will be made in May 2021. The normal child benefit, on the other hand, will be sent a few days earlier. This year, the child bonus also applies to children who would normally no longer be entitled to child benefit. If your child has completed his or her training or studies this year, the one-time child bonus can still be paid. This also applies to children who were born a few months ago. They are also entitled to the one-time child bonus. If the application for child benefit is not made until a few months later, the money will still be transferred retroactively.
How Much Is The Child Bonus?
The child bonus has decreased compared to 2020. Instead of 300 euros, parents now receive only 150 euros. For Hartz IV recipients, this bonus has no impact on their social benefits. These are not reduced because the bonus does not count toward income. However, there is also criticism that single parents in particular usually only receive half the bonus (75 euros). According to the law, the other parent may claim half of the amount if he or she regularly pays child support.
Why Is The Child Bonus Paid Out?
The child bonus benefits low-income families in particular, who can use this money to purchase important things for their child. In addition, the payment also has an economic background. As a result of the Corona crisis, less money was spent than ever before. This one-time payment is intended to encourage purchases so that the economy can recover.
Who Is Responsible For Paying Out The Child Bonus?
If you have any questions about the one-off child bonus in times of Corona, you should contact the relevant family benefits office. They will also be able to help you with general suggestions or other matters concerning child benefits.
Criticism
Even though the majority of the population views the payment of the child bonus positively, the amount is also criticized time and again. A one-time child bonus during Corona is not sufficient for poorer families to cover all expenses in the long term. For this reason, many people are calling for an independent basic allowance for children in order to ensure that they are adequately provided for. Also is again and again in the discussion to increase the child benefit independently of the income of parents on 328 euro. According to a proposal by the Left Party, children from poor families should receive an additional supplement, which varies according to the age of the child. However, the extent to which and whether this proposal can actually be put into practice is not foreseeable at this point in time.
