Child Sickness Benefit
Legally insured parents can apply for child sickness benefit for up to 30 working days per child (60 working days for single parents) until the end of 2023. For families with multiple children, each parent is entitled to no more than 65 working days in total, while single parents are entitled to up to 130 working days. From 2024 through 2025, this benefit is limited to a maximum of 15 working days per year for each parent, or 30 days for single parents.
Eligibility for Child Sickness Benefit
Eligible are legally insured working parents who are entitled to sickness benefits themselves and whose child is under twelve years old. For children with disabilities, eligibility extends beyond the child’s twelfth birthday. A further requirement is that no other person in the household is available to care for the child.
Privately insured and allowance-entitled parents may file a compensation claim under Section 56(1a) of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG).
Applying for Child Sickness Benefit
If the child is ill, the need for care must be proven to the health insurance provider with a medical certificate. The “Medical Certificate for the Receipt of Sickness Benefit Due to a Child’s Illness” is used for this purpose. If the child needs to be cared for at home due to a school or daycare closure, a certificate from the respective institution is sufficient.
Reporting to the University
Employees should report their absence to the HR department through their assigned contact person, either by phone or email, just as they would in case of their own illness. The days taken should be reported, and a copy of the child’s medical certificate should be submitted. Parents can also share the sick days between them.
The university will then notify the State Finance Office. For these days, employees do not receive their regular salary; instead, they are partially reimbursed by their health insurance provider after applying for child sickness benefit.