If you are unemployed and have previously worked for at least 12 months subject to compulsory insurance, you are entitled to unemployment benefit I (ALG I). For people with at least one child, this amounts to around 67 percent of their net income and is paid for a limited period (twelve to 24 months, depending on the age of the child).

Important: You must be available for the labor market, i.e. childcare must be available.

You can apply for unemployment benefit directly online via the Employment Agency portal or contact us for advice on all further details and how to apply:

In economically difficult situations, you are entitled to basic income support for jobseekers or citizen's allowance under certain conditions. This includes financial benefits for living expenses and, for example, advice and support in finding a job.

If your income and assets are insufficient and you are already receiving a standard old-age pension or are permanently fully "incapacitated for work" (over the age of 18), you are entitled to benefits to secure your livelihood (social assistance). This benefit must be applied for and usually extended after 12 months.
Please note: If you are entitled to financial support from a third party, this takes precedence (subordination principle).
Advice, applications and information can be obtained from the social benefits and job center. The general contact is: sozialhilfewiesbadende

Parents whose main place of residence is in Germany receive child benefit for all children up to the age of 18 (currently 259 euros per child). Child benefit is also paid for children up to the age of 25 who are in training or studying or, under certain conditions, for unemployed children (depending on the income of the child concerned). In the case of separated parents, child benefit is paid to the parent caring for the child. Public sector employees receive child benefit with their salary; all other parents must apply for it.

Parents with a low income can receive a child supplement in addition to child benefit under certain conditions (e.g. your child is unmarried and lives in your household and your gross income as a single parent is at least 600 euros).

If you receive citizen's allowance, child supplement, housing benefit or social assistance, you can receive additional benefits to promote education and participation for your child. These are, for example, costs for lunchtime meals, excursions and trips, learning support, school supplies, school transport or sports and leisure activities.

Parental allowance compensates for a lack of income when parents look after their child after the birth (for a maximum of 14 months). Parents who want to share work and family life as partners are particularly supported by Parental Allowance Plus.

Children up to the age of 18 are entitled to advance maintenance payments or loss of maintenance payments if the parent with whom they live is single, widowed, permanently separated or divorced (but not remarried) and the other parent does not pay maintenance.

Under certain conditions, you can receive subsidies for the care of your child in daycare centers, elementary school and day care.

Single parents can also claim various tax reliefs in their tax return.
Tax regulations are constantly being adapted.

After the death of your spouse, you are entitled to a widow(er)'s pension if he/she was subject to compulsory insurance. Since the "2002 amendment", the "small" or "large" widow(er)'s pension is paid out depending on the requirements. This entitlement also exists if the spouses have lived separately.

After the death of a parent, all legitimate children, children of unmarried couples, adopted children and, under certain conditions, stepchildren, grandchildren and foster children are entitled to a half-orphan's pension.

Are you divorced and bringing up children? If the other parent dies, you may be entitled to a child-raising pension in lieu of maintenance. This is not linked to the pension account of the divorced spouse.

As a tenant or homeowner, you can apply for a rent subsidy or housing allowance under certain conditions.

Note: However, if you receive citizen's allowance or social assistance, you are not eligible for a housing allowance, as the accommodation costs are already included.

With the Wiesbaden Freizeitkarte, parents and children can use numerous Wiesbaden leisure facilities at half price. This applies, for example, to outdoor and indoor swimming pools, courses at the adult education center, the ice rink, cultural days for children and all offers of the vacation programs of the Office for Social Work with the "Family Card" logo. The card is valid for one year and currently costs 50 euros. The Freizeitkarte is available to all Wiesbaden families with at least three children under the age of 18, single parents with children under the age of 18 and families with at least three children under the age of 18 who receive citizen's allowance, housing benefit or child supplement.

With the FamilienApp Hessen, families with at least one child under the age of 18 in Hesse can enjoy numerous benefits free of charge and regardless of income. These include, for example, accident insurance cover for young children of non-working parents, valuable tips from the consumer advice center and many discounts from partner companies

Here you can get individual advice on all family services once a month without an appointment in Wiesbaden city center (currently every third Thursday of the month).

The Association of Single Mothers and Fathers provides an overview of current benefits for single parents.

In the social department store "Fast wie neu" you can buy used furnishings and clothes etcetera very cheaply.

Families on low incomes can buy maternity clothes, women's and children's clothes, toys, baby carriages and much more at the SkF Anziehtreff.