The Geschwisterbonus (sibling bonus) gives you extra Elterngeld if you have other young children at home. The idea is that families with multiple small kids need more support.
You get the sibling bonus if you have:
The children must live in your household. Foster children and stepchildren who live with you also count.
The sibling bonus adds 10% to your Elterngeld, with a minimum of €75/month.
So if your Elterngeld is €1,000/month: 10% = €100 → You get €100 bonus
If your Elterngeld is €500/month: 10% = €50, but minimum is €75 → You get €75 bonus
For ElterngeldPlus, the minimum is €37.50/month.
You don't need to apply separately for the sibling bonus. Just indicate on your Elterngeld application that you have other children living with you.
The Elterngeldstelle will verify and automatically add the bonus if you qualify.
The sibling bonus is a supplement of 10% (minimum €75 for Basiselterngeld, €37.50 for ElterngeldPlus) if you already have older children: at least one child under 3 years OR at least two children under 6 years OR one child with disability under 14 years in the household.
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