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Understanding the parental allowance notice (Eltern­geld­bescheid)

Last updated: October 2026

The parental allowance office (Eltern­geld­stelle) sends you a notice: it says how much parental allowance you get and for which months. It is often only provisional, then a second letter comes later.

Sample letter

Eltern­geld­stelle Musterstadt · Hauptstraße 8 · 12345 Musterstadt
Frau Aylin Beispiel
Lindenweg 3
12345 Musterstadt
Musterstadt, 14. Oktober 2026Aktenzeichen: EG‑2026-0045678

Bescheid über Elterngeld für Ihr Kind Emil, geboren am 3. September 2026

Sehr geehrte Frau Beispiel,

auf Ihren Antrag bewilligen wir Ihnen Basiselterngeld für den 1. bis 12. Lebensmonat Ihres Kindes. Die Höhe beträgt vorläufig 1.020,00 Euro monatlich. Auf das Elterngeld wird das Mutterschafts­geld für den 1. und 2. Lebensmonat angerechnet.

Diese Entscheidung ergeht vorläufig, weil Ihr Einkommen im Bezugszeitraum noch nicht feststeht. Nach Ablauf des Bezugszeitraums reichen Sie bitte Ihre Einkommens­nachweise ein. Wir berechnen das Elterngeld dann endgültig. Zu viel gezahltes Elterngeld müssen Sie zurückzahlen.

Änderungen, zum Beispiel beim Einkommen oder bei der Kran­ken­ver­siche­rung, teilen Sie uns bitte sofort mit.

Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung: Gegen diesen Bescheid können Sie innerhalb eines Monats nach Bekanntgabe schriftlich Widerspruch bei der Eltern­geld­stelle einlegen.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Im Auftrag
K. Beispiel

Made‑up sender, made‑up names. The letter often looks like this or similar.

What does the letter mean?

The notice tells you how much parental allowance you get for which months of your child’s life. Basic parental allowance (Basiselterngeld) replaces about two thirds of your net income from before the birth, at least 300 euros and at most 1,800 euros a month. ElterngeldPlus is half as much, but lasts twice as long.

If the notice says "provisional", the parental allowance was only estimated, for example because your income in the reference period is not yet known. Later the office checks everything exactly. Then it may pay more or ask for money back.

Maternity pay (Mutterschafts­geld) is deducted from the parental allowance. That is why you often receive less parental allowance than you expect in the first months of life. This is normal and is written in the notice.

Deadlines

  • Objection (Widerspruch): within one month after you receive the notice. The deadline is at the end of the letter, in the information on legal remedies (Rechtsbehelfs­belehrung).
  • Proof of income for the final calculation: the parental allowance office tells you the deadline, usually after the reference period ends. Send it complete and on time.
  • Changes that affect the parental allowance (different income, change of months, moving house): report them immediately.

What you can do

  1. Check that your name, your child’s date of birth and the approved months are correct.
  2. Check the amount: does it fit your earlier income? Ask if you are not sure about a number.
  3. If you do not agree, file an objection in writing before the one‑month deadline ends. Send it in a way that lets you prove it arrived.
  4. Put some money aside if the notice is provisional: a repayment may be due at the final calculation.
  5. Collect early the proof of income that will be asked for later, for example payslips and the tax notice.
  6. If anything is unclear, ask the parental allowance office or a family counselling centre.

How Letter Explained helps you

The app explains the notice in your language, shows the approved months and the amount, and reminds you of the deadline for the objection and for the proofs.

More about the app

This guide does not replace legal advice. Every letter is different: deadlines and amounts apply as they are written in your letter. If you have questions, an advice centre can help.

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