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Caring for Orphaned Children within the Extended Family:
How Can an Aunt or Grandparent Receive Kindergeld in Germany?
When one parent or both parents pass away, the fate of a minor child becomes a sensitive humanitarian and legal issue. In Germany, children are supported through a monthly payment called Kindergeld until the age of 18 – and in some cases beyond.
A key question is: Can an aunt, uncle or grandparent receive this benefit if they care for the orphaned child?
The answer is: Yes – but only under specific legal conditions.
What is Kindergeld?
Kindergeld is a monthly payment made by the Familienkasse (Family Benefits Office) to support the upbringing of children. It is granted to individuals who:
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live in Germany,
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are caring for a child who resides with them,
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cover the child’s basic living expenses.
The amount (as of 2025) is:
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250 euros per month per child, regardless of the child’s position in the family.
Who can apply for Kindergeld after the parents’ death?
If the father, mother or both parents die, any member of the extended family – for example, an aunt, uncle, grandparent, brother or sister – may apply for Kindergeld, provided two main conditions are fulfilled:
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The child lives in their household (Haushaltsaufnahme)
The child must actually live with the applicant, be registered at the same address and have its primary everyday life there. -
They bear the child’s basic living costs (Unterhaltsverpflichtung)
The applicant must cover the child’s essential expenses, such as:-
food,
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clothing,
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education and school-related costs,
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health insurance or contributions to health insurance.
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Is legal custody (Sorgerecht) required?
Not always.
In many cases, it is sufficient to prove that the child actually lives with the applicant and that they pay for the child’s maintenance – even if legal custody has not formally been transferred via the Jugendamt (Youth Welfare Office) or a family court.
However, an official document from the Jugendamt, confirming that the child is under the applicant’s care, can significantly strengthen the application, especially in sensitive or disputed situations.
Required documents for the Kindergeld application
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Proof of the death of one or both parents |
| Registration (Anmeldung) of child and applicant | Proof of shared residence (same household) |
| Document from Jugendamt (if available) | Proof of legal or de facto care |
| Proof of maintenance (e.g. receipts for food, clothing, insurance) | Evidence of financial responsibility |
| ID card / passport of the applicant | Verification of identity |
How to apply?
The application is made directly to the competent Familienkasse at the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). The steps are:
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Download the application form from the website of the Federal Employment Agency (arbeitsagentur.de),
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Fill in the form “Antrag auf Kindergeld” (Application for Child Benefit),
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Attach all required documents,
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Send the application by post or submit it in person to the Familienkasse.
Important notes
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Only one person within the family may receive Kindergeld for a given child.
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If there is a conflict between family members about who should receive Kindergeld, priority is given to the person who can prove that they are providing actual daily care and main financial support for the child.
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Kindergeld can be combined with other benefits, such as half-orphan’s pension (Halbwaisenrente), full orphan’s pension or social assistance (Sozialhilfe), as long as all benefits are fully disclosed to the authorities.
Special cases
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Child moves to another caregiver or institution:
If the child later moves – for example to a care home, foster family or another relative – the Familienkasse must be informed immediately, because the entitlement situation will change. -
Official legal guardian (Vormund):
If a legal guardian is appointed by the Jugendamt or a court, it will be decided in coordination who will receive the Kindergeld (e.g. the guardian directly or an institution).
Conclusion
Caring for an orphaned child within the family is not only a humanitarian and moral duty – it is also supported by clear legal regulations in Germany.
Members of the extended family can receive Kindergeld provided they can prove shared residence and actual financial responsibility for the child, even if they do not hold formal custody.
In this way, the state aims to ensure that the child does not lose out on its right to financial support, and that the family offering protection and care is not left without recognition and assistance.
The authors and editorial team of this website strive to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may be incomplete or not yet fully confirmed. Please regard the information contained in this article as an initial point of reference and always seek definitive advice from the competent authorities and qualified professionals.
