Single parents
Single parents face particular challenges in reconciling the tasks and demands of study/work with their family responsibilities, as they cannot share these with a partner. They are therefore more dependent on a social network and the support of a good local infrastructure.
Childcare and organisation
In some childcare facilities, single parents are given preferential treatment when allocating childcare places. Information on this can be obtained from the respective facilities and their providers.
If the child is sick
In 2023, single parents who are subject to statutory health insurance are entitled to up to 60 days' child care sickness benefit per child. If there are several children, the total entitlement for single parents is limited to 130 working days per calendar year.
Further information can be found here.
Domestic help - in case of serious illness or pregnancy/birth
Domestic help in case of serious illness according to § 38 SGB V
If you as a single parent fall seriously ill and are therefore unable to manage the household, the statutory health insurance will cover the costs of domestic help. The condition is that a child under 12 years of age must live in the household. The age limit is not applicable to a disabled child.
Costs: In the case of domestic help according to §38 SGB V, your health insurance company pays the majority of the costs. However, you must cover a daily co-payment of at least five and at most ten euros.
More detailed information can be obtained from the health insurance company.
Domestic help in case of pregnancy and childbirth according to § 24h SGB V
Domestic help can be provided for pregnant women with pregnancy problems that go beyond the usual level. The condition is that neither you nor any other person living in the household can manage the household. There is no time limit on the duration of services during pregnancy. The service is provided for as long as the doctor or midwife considers it necessary. After giving birth, domestic help is only granted for the day of delivery and a maximum of 6 further days.
Costs: There is no co-payment for domestic help due to pregnancy and childbirth.
More detailed information can be obtained from the health insurance company.
Financial issues
The financing of their living situation often confronts single parents with a major task that is experienced as difficult and challenging. It is therefore important to know about state aid and to make use of it. In the following, we will briefly describe specific services with respect to single parents. General information on financing and benefits can be found on the websites on Financial issues.
The staff of ZFG offers a general advice on the subject and, if required, can arrange further contact persons.
To clarify your financial situation as a student with a child, we also recommend to contact the social counselling service of the Studierendenwerk.
Recommendations and tips
Counselling services in Eichstätt and Ingolstadt
- Pregnancy counselling (SKF) in Ingolstadt. Parents who are expecting a child, single parents or parents with children up to age 3 can take advantage of this counselling.
- Caritas-Kreisstelle Eichstätt/Ingolstadt supports single mothers and fathers with its help and advice services.
Support and tips
- Association of single mothers and fathers (VAMV): The VAMV is committed to the social concerns of single mothers and fathers and their children. It informs the public about the situation of single-parent families, carries out lobby work and raises political demands.
- Network effective help for single parents: In this report, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs provides information about help options for single parents. Network projects are presented.
- How to bring everything under one roof? Tips for single parents of single parents
- Separated with child: The blog for separated parents