In Germany, working parents on low incomes receive up to 292 euros per child as an additional benefit from the family fund. But this child benefit is now under fire. Bild reports that there is currently a “flow of applications” from family health insurance companies for this supplement. In order to contain the situation, family fund officers are now said to have been instructed not to scrutinize applications any more. The goal is to get applications through quickly, the report says. Internally, we talk about “correct editing.”
Has child benefit become a gateway for fraud?
This means that the information provided by applicants is generally trusted. In the absence of evidence – such as salary – parts are simply ignored. If payslips or leases are missing, or if applications have been clearly altered subsequently, for example, officers are instructed not to investigate further.
When asked by the Federal Employment Agency, they told “Bild” that they simply “simplified” the procedure. But an employee of the family fund confirms to “Bild” that abuse also happens.
