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Daycare fees too high? Apply for a waiver or coverage

Daycare fees can put a heavy strain on the family budget. What many do not know: with a low income they do not have to be paid in full; the youth welfare office can waive or cover the fee.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Apply for a waiver

Your chances of getting your money back

If the burden of the daycare fee is unreasonable for your family, it can, on application, be waived in whole or in part or covered by the youth welfare office (§ 90 SGB VIII). This depends on income and the family situation.
If you receive certain social benefits (for example citizen's benefit, housing benefit, child supplement), the fee often does not apply anyway. In some federal states daycare is also (partly) free of charge.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Assess the burden

    Is the fee unreasonably high in relation to your income?

  2. 2

    2. Apply at the youth welfare office

    Apply for a waiver or coverage of the daycare fees at the youth welfare office.

  3. 3

    3. Attach evidence

    Submit proof of income and, if applicable, notices about social benefits.

  4. 4

    4. Check state rules

    Check whether in your federal state (parts of) daycare are free of charge.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have the daycare fees waived?

Yes, if the burden is unreasonable for your family. Then the youth welfare office can, on application, waive or cover the daycare fee in whole or in part (§ 90 SGB VIII). What matters is your income and your family situation. With certain social benefits the fee often does not apply anyway.

How do I apply for coverage of the daycare fees?

You submit the application to the youth welfare office and attach proof of income and, where applicable, notices about social benefits received. Also check whether in your federal state daycare is free of charge anyway (at least in part, for example in the last daycare year).

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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.