Foster families in Berlin to receive more money

Foster parents in Berlin will receive significantly more money. As Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU), Senator for Education, Youth and Family, said, the flat rates will be increased from September.

In total, the youngest children now receive just under 280 euros, the oldest around 140 euros more. The lump sums are based on age and the need for support. In addition, a pilot project offering benefits similar to parental allowance will be launched from January 2025.

No Elterngeld for foster families

In order for a family in Berlin to take a child into care, the parents are not allowed to work for up to a year during the familiarisation period. They also do not receive Elterngeld (parental allowance). As a result, some potential families cannot and do not want to take in a child, according to a spokeswoman. The ‘Start Bonus - Foster Child’ project aims to remedy this situation. In addition to the fostering rates, 924 euros are then available.

‘Startbonus - Pflegekind": benefits independent of income

The requirements: The child must be between zero and six years old and must not have started school. The benefits are intended to last up to twelve months and are paid out to one carer per family regardless of income. This is important, says Günther-Wünsch, because: ‘Over 8,000 young people are in residential care, less than 2,000 of them in foster families.’

Tapping into new target groups

‘We not only want to attract new foster families overall, but also tap into new target groups,’ says the senator. The pilot project will initially run for two years in Berlin and is being funded by the Senate Department. The state is providing up to 1 million euros from its budget for this purpose. ‘These benefits, which are similar to parental allowance, are secure,’ says Günther-Wünsch.