Care and Support for Children in Emergency Situations; Applying for Assistance

Parents are entitled to assistance with the care and support of a child living in their household if

• one parent, who is primarily responsible for the child’s care, is unable to do so due to health or other compelling reasons,
• the child’s well-being cannot be ensured in any other way, particularly by the other parent taking over care,
• the child’s family environment is to be maintained, and
• support services for the child in daycare centers or family daycare are insufficient.

Provided these conditions are met and there is no obligation on the part of another social service provider, the entitlement is governed by the locally responsible youth welfare offices of the counties and municipalities independent of county administration, which carry out their duties within their own jurisdictions. The nature of the support and the duration of the child’s care and supervision depend on the specific needs in each individual case.

The goal of this benefit is to preserve the child’s family environment, even if the primary caregiver is unable to provide care due to illness or other compelling reasons. Whenever possible, the aim is to prevent the child from having to be placed outside the family, provided there are no educational reasons for doing so.

The local Youth Welfare Office is the point of contact.