Repay parental allowance? Checking the parental allowance office's reclaim

Parental allowance is often initially granted provisionally and finally assessed after the payment period. If you had more income than assumed (for example through part-time work or back payments), a reclaim can arise. It is not always correct, so check the notice carefully.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Against the assessment or reclaim notice you can file an objection within one month. Often income or payment months are incorrectly assigned.

If only a provisional grant was made, a final assessment is normal. What is decisive is that your actual income in the payment period was correctly taken into account.

What you should do now

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1. Provisional or final?
See whether the original grant was provisional. Then a final assessment is usual, but it must be correct.
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2. Compare the income
Compare the income taken into account with your actual earnings in the payment period. Watch for correct monthly assignment.
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3. File an objection
In case of errors, file an objection within the deadline and attach proof of income.
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4. Agree on installments
If the reclaim is justified, agree on affordable installment payments. In cases of particular hardship, a deferral can help.

How to spot the scam

Income is assigned to the wrong month.
One-off payments are wrongly counted as ongoing income.
The reclaim comes without a comprehensible calculation.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the parental allowance office demand money back?

Usually because the actual income in the payment period was higher than assumed in the provisional grant, for example through part-time work or back payments. With a provisional grant, a final assessment follows.

Can I defend myself against the reclaim?

Yes, with an objection within one month. Check especially whether the income was correctly and assigned to the correct month. Attach proof.

Do I have to repay everything at once?

No. If the claim is justified, an installment payment can usually be agreed. In cases of particular hardship, deferral or a low installment come into consideration.

Take action now

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.