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Editor:
Presscouncil City of Chemnitz
Pressrelease: 476

Improvements in education and participation benefits for children and young people from August

From 1 August 2019, benefits for education and participation will be improved by the entry into force of the "Strong Families Act". The following legal changes will take effect:

  • The payment of the personal contribution of previously one euro per portion will no longer apply to lunchtime meals for children in daycare centres and for schoolchildren. The children concerned will therefore receive their lunch free of charge
  • Parents will no longer have to pay their own contribution of five euros per month for school transport.
  • For participation in social and cultural life, parents can now be paid 15 euros per child instead of the previous 10 euros per month as a lump sum, provided the child takes part in at least one paid leisure activity.
  • Parents can apply for learning support services if the achievement of key learning goals is jeopardised. Previously, the child had to be at risk of failing. Parents must submit a confirmation from the school regarding the need for learning support with the application.
  • Personal school requirements will be increased from 100 to 150 euros per school year. Of this amount, 100 euros will be paid in August for the first half of the school year and 50 euros in February for the second half of the school year.

Since 2011, children and young people have been able to claim benefits for education and participation. Eligible are those who themselves or whose parents receive one of the following social benefits:

  • Benefits according to SGB II (Second Book of the German Social Code)
  • Social assistance according to SGB XII (Twelfth Book of the German Social Code)
  • Housing benefit
  • Child allowance
  • Benefits for asylum seekers

The education and participation package includes the following benefits:

  • one-day school trips or trips with the day-care centre
  • School trips lasting several days or trips with the day care centre
  • Equipment with personal school supplies
  • School transport
  • learning support
  • Lunch at school and daycare centre
  • Participation in social and cultural life


Chemnitz residents can contact the following centres for advice and to apply for the educational package benefits:

  • if receiving SGB II benefits: Chemnitz Job Centre, Heinrich-Lorenz-Str. 35, 09120 Chemnitz
  • if you receive housing benefit/children's allowance and social welfare: BVZ Moritzhof (in the customer portal), Bahnhofstr. 53, 09111 Chemnitz
  • for asylum seeker benefits: Social welfare office, Bahnhofstr. 54a (Alte Post), 09111 Chemnitz

All applications are also available at the citizen service centres and online at www.chemnitz.de. Please select the appropriate benefit.