Thorsten Frei, the Head of the Chancellery for the CDU party, has proposed restricting the eligibility for maintenance allowances for single parents. Speaking on the TV program “Stimme am Morgen” on “Die Welt,” Frei stated that individuals earning a gross salary exceeding €4,500 to €5,000 per month should no longer qualify for state assistance for delinquent parents.
Frei explained that since the maintenance allowance is a social benefit, resources must be concentrated on those who are genuinely in need. Therefore, he argued that an income threshold must be implemented. “If a person is above this salary limit, they cannot claim that the general public should cover the payment failures of their partner,” he asserted. While the exact limit will be determined during the legislative process, Frei provided an approximate range, suggesting that a threshold between €4,500 and €5,000 per month is appropriate. Above this amount, he argued, there is little justification for the general public to step in.
The Chancellery head also dismissed the criticism from SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf regarding plans to abolish maintenance support for youths aged 16 to 18. He insisted that absolutely no one would be left without support. These adjustments were, he noted, agreed upon at the Prime Ministers’ Conference at the end of June, alongside other changes, such as those involving the Federal Participation Law or children’s and youth services.
Frei highlighted the mounting financial strain, stating that expenditures for the maintenance allowance have quadrupled over the last eight years, putting a significant burden on cities, municipalities, and local districts. He suggested that cutting costs in such areas was necessary to ease the financial load.
In cases where the payment is made in advance by the state, youth welfare departments can recover the money (regress) from the non-paying parent. However, this repayment obligation only applies if the parent is financially able to comply. In most instances, Frei added, the state ultimately ends up absorbing the costs.
