From the future government: Social organizations demand basic child security

Trade unions and social associations are calling on politicians to do more to combat child poverty. The next federal government must introduce basic child benefits. The current system of family support is too bureaucratic.

An alliance of 22 social associations and trade unions is calling for the introduction of basic child benefits. In a joint appeal, all parties must give the fight against child poverty top priority in the next parliamentary term. At the same time, the signatories – including DGB, VdK, Diakonie and the Arbeiterwohlfahrt – refer to a new survey on their behalf. According to this, 94 percent of the population consider it important to eradicate child poverty quickly.

“The basic child security is part of the next coalition agreement,” the statement said. The aim is to summarize the existing state benefits for children, automatically pay them out and create a common point of contact for parents. The subsistence level for all children must be calculated “new and realistically” as the basis for the required basic child protection. What is necessary is a benefit level that is well above the Hartz IV rates for children and adolescents. “The many family-related benefits do not achieve their goal of preventing child poverty.”

Bureaucratic and unfair

According to the information, 2.8 million children and young people currently live on state benefits to secure their livelihood, 1.6 million of them even though their parents are gainfully employed. A basic child security would be a first important step, because the existing benefits often do not reach the children, explained the Social Association Germany.

For the social association VdK, President Verena Bentele said: “The existing system of family support is far too bureaucratic and resembles a jungle of authorities.” It also prefers high earners and does not take enough account of the needs of families with children with disabilities.

“Basic child security is simple and unbureaucratic,” explained Maria Loheide, Head of Social Policy at Diakonie Deutschland: “All children receive the same minimum amount. Children who live in poverty also receive what they need for comprehensive social participation.” The SPD, the Greens and the Left are in favor of such a model.

Three quarters want basic security

The idea of ​​a basic child protection scheme also met with great approval among the population. According to the alliance, this emerges from a survey: 76 percent of those eligible to vote are in favor of introducing such a service. Even among the supporters of the CDU / CSU and FDP who do not have a basic child security in their election program, a clear majority of 76 percent and 67 percent, respectively, are in favor of basic child security.

Of the respondents who have children themselves and who can estimate the costs well, a slim majority (56 percent) consider the monthly Hartz IV amount of 309 euros for a ten-year-old child to be too low. Very few respondents with children are said to be of the opinion that the amount is too high (four percent). 37 percent rate the amount of the payment as appropriate. The research institute Forsa asked the information about 1018 voters.