Short answer: The child supplement (Kinderzuschlag) under § 6a BKGG (Federal Child Benefit Act) requires that child benefit (Kindergeld) is paid for the child and that the parents reach a minimum income from their own earned income. According to the Federal Employment Agency, this is 600 euros for single parents and 900 euros for couples, with a maximum of 297 euros per child per month (accessed October 2026, page without a year). Without earned income, the supplement generally does not apply. The notice from the Familienkasse (family benefits office) is binding.
The child supplement for student parents is a special case. It is designed for families with low income, but students often have little earned income. This guide explains the conditions, the application process and the points to clarify before you decide.
The key points in brief
- The child supplement is granted under § 6a of the Federal Child Benefit Act (BKGG) and requires that child benefit is paid for the child.
- Parents must reach a minimum income from their own earned income. The Federal Employment Agency states 600 euros for single parents and 900 euros for couples (accessed October 2026).
- According to the source, it is not clearly settled whether a side job counts as earned income for this purpose.
- The maximum is 297 euros per child per month according to the Federal Employment Agency, including the immediate supplement (Sofortzuschlag). It is granted for six months at a time.
- The application goes to the Familienkasse, not to the BAföG office.
What is the child supplement?
The child supplement tops up child benefit for families whose income does not quite cover their own needs and those of their children. It is not a social benefit for students as such. It is a benefit for low-income parents who may also be studying. Whether you benefit therefore depends mainly on how much you earn alongside your studies.
The benefit is granted under § 6a BKGG. The law sets the income limits and defines how the supplement is calculated. The text is available on gesetze-im-internet.de and should be read before you apply.
Which conditions apply?
The child supplement essentially requires three things. First, child benefit must be paid for the child. Second, the parents must reach a minimum income from their own earned income. Third, the household income must not be so high that the supplement lapses. The minimum incomes are shown in the table below.
| Household | Minimum earned income | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single parent | 600 euros | Accessed October 2026 | Federal Employment Agency, child supplement |
| Couple | 900 euros | Accessed October 2026 | Federal Employment Agency, child supplement |
| Child benefit for the child | Precondition for entitlement | Law as of 2026 | § 6a BKGG |
Please note that the Federal Employment Agency page gives no year for these values. The Familienkasse sets the current position bindingly.
Worked example with an assumption
Assumption: you are a single parent with one child who is entitled to child benefit, and you earn 450 euros per month from a side job alongside your studies. The limit for single parents is 600 euros according to the Federal Employment Agency. At 450 euros you do not reach it, even if the side job counts as earned income. If your income changes, for example through a job during the semester break, have the situation checked again.
Assumption: your income is 650 euros per month. Then you reach the minimum for single parents. Whether a claim results also depends on other factors, such as the family’s needs and the income of the other parent. Only the notice from the office is binding.
Earned income while studying: where it gets unclear
For students, the central question is whether a side job is enough. The 2023 material from the Studierendenwerke notes that the term “earned income” (Erwerbstätigkeit) is not conclusively defined in this context. A mini-job, a working-student job or research work may therefore be assessed differently.
If you are unsure, ask the Familienkasse in writing before you apply. A written answer helps later if your situation changes. The number of weekly hours that matters for your case can only be answered individually.
If you work alongside your studies, also check the rules on working hours during your degree. The guide Werkstudent: 20-Stunden-Regel, Rentenversicherung und Semesterferien (in German) gives an overview.
How do you apply?
The application goes to the Familienkasse. There, the office checks the parents’ income, the entitlement to child benefit and the housing situation. The notice sets the approval period and the duty to report changes, for example new income or a move. If your income or family situation changes, report it promptly.
Prepare the documents early. They include income proof for recent months, proof of child benefit and details of rent costs. For questions about training and study periods, your university can issue a certificate of enrolment.
How does the child supplement relate to BAföG?
The child supplement is not a BAföG benefit. It is handled by a different authority under different rules. Whether and to what extent a BAföG payment is considered when the child supplement is assessed depends on the individual case. Clarify this with the Familienkasse and the BAföG office before you file both applications.
The two procedures run separately. If your income or housing situation changes, check whether you must inform both offices. The guide BAföG with a Child: Childcare Supplement and Extension covers the BAföG side.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the child supplement if I only receive BAföG?
Usually not, because BAföG is not earned income. The child supplement requires a minimum income from paid work. Whether a BAföG payment is considered in the check is decided by the Familienkasse in each case.
Is the child supplement also available to single parents?
Yes. Single parents face the lower minimum income of 600 euros. For couples, the limit is 900 euros (Federal Employment Agency, accessed October 2026). The notice from the Familienkasse is binding.
Do I have to repay the child supplement?
The amount depends on your income. You must report changes. If benefits are paid in error, the Familienkasse can reclaim them, so reporting on time matters.
Which office is responsible for the application?
The Familienkasse of the Federal Employment Agency is responsible. The BAföG office of the Studierendenwerke handles BAföG funding, not the child supplement.
What if the child supplement does not fit my situation?
Other benefits may be relevant, such as citizen’s benefit (Bürgergeld) or housing benefit (Wohngeld). The Jobcenter or the housing benefit office checks entitlement. Advice from your Studierendenwerke can help you sort out the responsibilities.
What to do now
- Check with the Familienkasse whether child benefit is paid for your child.
- Work out your earned income for recent months and compare it with the minimum amounts.
- Ask the Familienkasse in writing whether your side job counts as earned income.
- Submit the application to the Familienkasse and record every change in your income.
- Check the status of your BAföG application at the same time, so that both benefits fit together.
Related guides
- Studying with a child: money, benefits and insurance
- Child Benefit First Training: Age Limit and Work Rules
- Studying with a Child: Supplements and Benefits in Germany
- Kindergeld und Nebenjob: Was dein Kind verdienen darf (in German)
- Parental Allowance for Students: Minimum Amount, Application and BAföG
Sources: § 6a BKGG, child supplement (gesetze-im-internet.de, applicable law); Federal Employment Agency, child supplement: entitlement, amount, duration (accessed October 2026, in German) ; Studierendenwerke, family benefits and more for students with children (status 10/2023, on the question of earned income).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
