Prien wants to limit advance maintenance payments to children up to age 15

Background: 2017 expansion and rising costs

Since a reform in 2017, it can be applied for for all minor children and without any time limit. Before the expansion of the advance in 2017, it had only been paid until the child's 12th birthday and for a maximum of 72 months. With the now-planned return to an age limit – albeit at 15 instead of 12 years – the federal government would strike a middle ground between the original and the current regulation.

The advance is paid by the state when partners do not pay maintenance after a separation. If one parent does not pay maintenance for shared children, the state steps in – delinquent partners – usually the fathers – do not pay. Prien stressed that it was important that the federal states and municipalities jointly pursued the collection of outstanding maintenance payments: "Das ist eine Frage der Gerechtigkeit".

Planned sanctions against delinquent payers

In the coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD had agreed to change how child benefit is offset against advance maintenance payments. A change such as a half-offset was "zur Zeit einfach nicht finanzierbar", said Prien. The full offset would remain in place for the time being.

At the same time, the ministry is planning tougher sanctions against delinquent maintenance obligors. For example, the revocation of the driver's license should become possible in the case of false information or failure to provide information. Anyone who, for example, makes false statements to avoid maintenance payments could in the future have their driver's license revoked.

Prien pointed out that the federal government and the states had agreed to provide greater relief to municipalities and to pursue delinquent payers more harshly. Limiting the benefit to children up to age 15 is part of this package. This would mean that the state would no longer automatically make advance payments for older adolescents whose maintenance-obligated parent does not pay.

Embedding in further family policy initiatives

The announcement is part of a series of further family policy initiatives by the minister. A few days ago, Prien had announced that the maximum period for receiving parental allowance would be reduced from 14 to 12 months. Together, both measures noticeably change the range of benefits for families with young and growing children.

Prien did not provide any further details on the exact timetable and design of the draft law. The news was broadcast on 12.07.2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program. Before any possible adoption, the plans would still have to go through the usual coordination processes within the federal government and with the states.

Critics warn that a cap at age 15 could particularly affect older adolescents from separated families whose maintenance payments continue to be absent. Supporters point to the exploding costs and the need to provide noticeable relief to municipalities. The debate is likely to pick up speed in the coming weeks.