The federal government and the states are pumping billions into the child‑maintenance allowance (Unterhaltsvorschuss), yet the amount that could actually be recovered is unknown to the government. This follows an answer from the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) to a parliamentary question from the Green party, as reported by the Rheinische Post on Wednesday.
According to the ministry, no figures are available for 2024 and 2025 indicating how many non‑paying parents have been assessed as capable of paying by youth welfare offices. In other words, the state covers the shortfalls without later recovering the money from the responsible parties.
The Greens criticize the lack of data. “The state pays billions annually in child‑maintenance allowance because parents who owe child support evade their responsibilities. That is fundamentally correct. What is wrong, however, is that this money is rarely and decisively recovered” said Misbah Khan, deputy chair of the Green parliamentary group, to the Rheinische Post.
The Association of Single Mothers and Fathers (VAMV) finds the government’s response too vague overall. In its comments to the Rheinische Post, chairwoman Daniela Jaspers urged the federal government to secure reliable financing for the allowance. “The increase in child‑maintenance allowance promised in the coalition agreement would be a crucial improvement for single parents; the government should set a reliable funding framework” she said.
