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"As a trainee you don't get child benefit any more."

You now earn money yourself and wonder about child benefit and allowances.

§ 32 Abs. 4 EStG / §§ 56 ff. SGB III

The boss may NOT do that
Yes you do — during your first training there is child benefit, however much you earn.
For children in their first vocational training there is child benefit until the 25th birthday, regardless of how much training pay you earn (§ 32 (4) EStG). It is usually paid to your parents, who can pass it on to you. If, because of the training, you no longer live with your parents because the company is too far away, you can apply for vocational training allowance (BAB) at the employment agency (§§ 56 ff. SGB III); whether and how much you receive depends on your income and your parents'. For your own flat, housing benefit may also be an option.

What the law says

§ 32 (4) EStG – Children in training
A child aged 18 but not yet 25 is taken into account if being trained for an occupation; in first training without any check of employment.
§ 56 SGB III – Vocational training allowance
Trainees are entitled to vocational training allowance during eligible training if they belong to the eligible group and do not have the necessary funds otherwise.

What you can do

  1. Your parents must report your training start to the family benefits office — attach the training contract.
  2. Use the employment agency's BAB calculator before applying.
  3. Apply for BAB before your training starts if possible — little is paid retroactively.
  4. After your first training, stricter child benefit rules apply.

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