With the Act to Strengthen the Protection of the Population and, in Particular, Vulnerable Groups Against COVID-19 (COVID-19 Protection Act), the federal government has decided to temporarily expand and extend the number of days of child sickness benefits. Accordingly, in 2022 and 2023, parents can apply for 30 working days of child sickness benefits per child and per parent instead of 10, meaning 60 days per child for couples.
For single parents as well, the entitlement per child doubles from 30 to 60 days. For families with multiple children, the entitlement is capped at a maximum of 65 workdays; for single parents, it is capped at a maximum of 130 workdays.
Parents can use the pandemic-related child sickness benefit until April 7, 2023 , if the daycare center or school is closed due to the pandemic, in-person instruction has been suspended, access to childcare services is restricted (including due to quarantine), or there is a recommendation from authorities not to use childcare services at school or daycare. Even those who can work from home are entitled to the additional days. Starting April 8, 2023, any unused days of leave can then only be used if the child is ill.
Parents should also keep in mind that the year is still long and that child sickness benefits may actually become necessary if a child falls ill. Therefore, it may be advisable not to use all of the days as “pandemic child sickness benefits.”
Better Provisions for Parents
IG Metall had called for better regulations for parents who have to care for their children at home due to the COVID-19 crisis. The expansion of child sick leave days is therefore welcome. It is a relatively unbureaucratic solution that parents can implement without their employers’ consent. However, they must accept a loss of income. That is why, during the coalition negotiations among the “traffic light” parties in November 2021, IG Metall strongly advocated for a general increase in sick days for children—with success: The coalition parties plan to raise the statutory entitlement to sick days for children to 15 days per child and parent, and to 30 days for single parents.
Who is eligible?
Eligible are parents with statutory health insurance who are employed, who are themselves entitled to sick pay, and whose child has statutory health insurance. Another requirement is that there is no other person in the household who can care for the child.
Accordingly, parents can use these sick days through April 7, 2023, even if the daycare center or school is closed due to the pandemic, in-person classes have been suspended, access to childcare services is restricted, or authorities have recommended not using childcare services at school or daycare. Even those who can work from home are entitled to the additional days.
Notifying Employers
Mothers or fathers must inform their employer that they are unable to work due to childcare responsibilities.
How must eligibility be proven?
In the case of pandemic-related childcare, parents must submit an application to their health insurance provider. Health insurance providers already have application forms available on their websites for this purpose.
If health insurance providers require proof from the childcare facility, parents can use the sample certificate from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs (PDF). With this certificate, a childcare facility can confirm that it had to close or restrict access for infection control reasons.
Normally, child sickness benefits are intended for cases where working parents must care for, supervise, or nurse a sick child under the age of twelve. A doctor’s note is therefore still only required when a child is sick.
No Entitlement in Conjunction with Wage Replacement Benefits Under the Infection Protection Act
If one parent claims child sickness allowance, the entitlement under Section 56 of the Infection Protection Act is suspended for both parents during this period. Privately insured individuals remain entitled to benefits under the Infection Protection Act.
How much is the child sickness benefit?
To calculate the amount of child sickness benefit, the health insurance provider needs information from the employer regarding the income of the parent providing care. If a sick note is issued by the pediatrician, the health insurance provider receives this information directly from the employer.
- Child sickness benefits generally amount to 90 percent of the lost net pay.
- If you have received one-time payments such as vacation pay and/or a Christmas bonus in the last twelve months, the child sickness benefit is even 100 percent of the lost net salary.
- Due to legal regulations (contribution assessment ceiling), the maximum daily child sickness benefit in 2022 is 112.88 euros. In 2023, the maximum daily sickness benefit is expected to be 116.38 euros.
- Pension, unemployment, and long-term care insurance contributions are deducted proportionally from the child sickness benefit.
