Billions in public funds cover child maintenance—but who's really paying?
The federal and state governments are stepping in with billions to cover advance child maintenance payments—but the federal government does not know how many of those who fail to pay could actually afford to do so. This emerges from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs' (BMFSFJ) response to a parliamentary question from the Green Party's Bundestag faction, as reported by the Rheinische Post in its Wednesday edition.
According to the ministry, there are no figures available for 2024 and 2025 on how many non-payers have been assessed by youth welfare offices as financially capable. This means the state is covering the shortfall without systematically reclaiming the money from those responsible.
The Green Party has criticized the lack of data: "Every year, the state pays out billions in advance child maintenance because parents shirk their financial responsibilities. In principle, this is the right thing to do. But it is wrong that this money is rarely reclaimed with any consistency," Misbah Khan, deputy chair of the Green Party's Bundestag faction, told the Rheinische Post.
The Association of Single Mothers and Fathers (VAMV) considers the government's response overly vague. Federal chair Daniela Jaspers criticized the handling of advance maintenance payments in the Rheinische Post, stating: "The increase in advance child maintenance promised in the coalition agreement would be a crucial improvement for single parents. In the VAMV's view, the federal government should push for reliable funding."
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