Child sickness benefit to be extended again

New: Each parent is entitled to a maximum of 30 working days, single parents to a maximum of 60 working days per child.

In January, the Bundestag passed a law to extend the entitlement to child sickness benefit. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the entitlement was extended once again in April 2021.

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. The Federal Cabinet had already decided to extend the entitlement period in January 2021. Now the entitlement has been extended once again. Instead of 20 days, each parent is now entitled to child sickness benefit for a maximum of 30 working days. Single parents are entitled to a maximum of 60 working days (instead of the previous 40 working days). If there are several children, the entitlement per parent is limited to 65 working days and 130 working days for single parents.

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 childcare center or the 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 children's sickness benefit to your health insurance fund for the reported children's sick days.
• If necessary, attach 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 have been in force since 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