Child sickness benefit is being extended

In 2021, child sickness benefit will be paid for longer and also for pandemic-related care at home.

The Bundestag and Bundesrat have passed a law to extend the entitlement to child sickness benefit. The benefit period has been extended and there is also an entitlement if the child is not ill but has to be cared for at home due to the pandemic.

If their child is ill and they have to look after it themselves, parents are entitled to time off work. Those with statutory health insurance are also entitled to child sickness benefit for a limited period of time under certain conditions. Previously, each parent was entitled to a maximum of 10 working days of child sickness benefit, while single parents were entitled to 20 working days. For 2021, the Federal Cabinet has decided to extend the period of entitlement: each parent is entitled to child sickness benefit for each child for a maximum of 20 working days, single parents for a maximum of 40 working days per child.

Children's sick pay even in the event of pandemic-related childcare center- or school closures

What is new is that parents are also entitled to child sickness benefit if they have to look after their children at home because the childcare center or school is closed due to the pandemic or a ban on childcare applies to the group or class. Under these conditions, parents also receive child sickness benefit if their child is not ill.

Child sickness benefit: how it works

1. check the requirements

• Do you have statutory health insurance (with sickness benefit entitlement)?
• Is it necessary to care for the child at home due to pandemic-related closures/recommendation for home care?
• Is the child to be cared for under the age of 12 (children with disabilities are also entitled beyond the age of 12)?
• Can no other person living in your household provide care?
• Are there still enough child sickness benefit days available? 

Can you answer all questions with �yes�? Then there is a high probability that you are entitled to child sickness benefit.

2. obtain evidence from the childcare center or school

The following reasons are recognized:

• Closure of the facility
• Closure of the class or group
• Restriction of access to the childcare center
• Abolition of compulsory attendance at school

3. talk to your employer

It is advisable to seek a discussion with the employer: How can work be sensibly redistributed or put on hold, how can the employer provide support? In the best case scenario, you will find a mutually agreeable work and children's sick days plan that works for both sides. Remember: even if the entitlement period has been extended, it is still limited in time. Due to the unpredictable development of the pandemic, good planning and scheduling is recommended.

4. submit an application to your health insurance company

• Submit an informal application for child sickness benefit to your health insurance fund for the reported child sick days
• If necessary, please enclose proof from childcare center or the school
• It is helpful to provide an additional reason why no other person living in your household can take over the care.

Retroactive application possible

The new conditions for children's sick pay apply from January 5. Parents who have taken unpaid leave since then can apply for child sickness benefit retroactively.

There will also be an entitlement if the parents could in principle work from home alongside childcare. It is not possible to receive child sickness benefit while working at the same time. The entitlement to compensation in accordance with �56 of the Infection Protection Act is also suspended while receiving child sickness benefit.

Source: www.bmfsfj.de