Germany's family ministry is proposing to shorten state maintenance advances for children of separated parents to age 15, trimming two years off the current eligibility threshold. Family Minister Karin Prien said the reform aims to rein in costs that have quadrupled since a 2017 expansion extended payments through age 18 with no time limit. The federal government covers 40 percent of the programme, with municipalities bearing much of the rest.
Before the 2017 change, advances were limited to children under 12 and capped at 72 months. Prien also proposed revoking driver's licences from parents who provide false information or withhold details, and announced plans to reduce maximum parental leave benefits from 14 to 12 months. Full crediting of child benefits against the advance would be retained.
The German Children's Fund warned the cut would deepen child poverty, noting current monthly payments range from 227 to 394 euros depending on the child's age.