The addition of a new family member in the family tends to strain the family finances. However, first world countries around the world provide child benefits to help the families cope. Child Benefit is a kind of social security payment that can prove a significant boost to the family’s finances. If you are responsible for looking after a child, then you are more likely eligible for the social security payouts due to parents and guardians.

If not sure whether you are eligible for the benefits, you should still claim so that you don’t lose out on other benefits. The versions of these benefits vary by the country.

Canada Child Benefit

The primary goal of child benefit in Canada is to strengthen the middle class and encourage those trying to join it. However, there is a condition before you can receive these benefits. You and your spouse are required to file tax returns to continue receiving the benefit.

Strengthening the Canada Child Benefit so families in Newfoundland and Labrador have more money to help kids succeed #RealChangeIsWorking pic.twitter.com/wgPLARbVKp

— Seamus O’Regan (@SeamusORegan) October 27, 2017

The payment is quite simple, and the majority of the families receive it every month. In Canada, the focus of this pay is on those that need it the most.  Those in the low income and middle-income brackets receive higher pay than the top earners. The benefit is tax-free if the recipients do their tax filing.

To determine how much you will get, you can use the child benefit calculator. Basically, you are eligible to get as much as $6,400 annually for every child below six years. If the minors are between 6 and 17, then the benefit is $5,400 for each of them.

The introduction of better-targeted payments has seen fewer children live in poverty than before.

Application to Receive the Benefit

In order to receive the benefit, you must fill the Canada Child Benefits Application (RC66) form. You will require supporting documents if applying for the first time such as proof of immigration status. You will also need to provide proof of birth for children born in Canada but are aged one year or older. This also applies to those born outside the country.

Ontario Child Benefit

If you have a newborn in Ontario, then you go to Service Ontario’s 4-in-1 Newborn Bundle. This service assists you to acquire a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for your newborn and a birth certificate. This is in addition to registering you for the child benefits you are eligible.

Germany Child Benefit

Unlike in the United States, the law on child benefits is somehow complicated. However, there is a wide range of incentives for parents and other guardians. During the application process – starting 2016 – the parent or guardian must obtain a Tax ID number from the Federal Tax Office.

It is not just the German citizens that are entitled to the benefit. Others that may claim it include:

• People of German origin with a tax residence in the country.
• Germans with a tax residence in the country but living overseas
• Those from other countries with a settlement permit
• Recognized asylum seekers and refugees
• EU citizens with a tax residence in Germany

Called keeping society socially cohesive(like Germany, Scandinavia et al.}All get child benefit without means test.

— cyril.mitchell@live. (@cyrilmitchell23) November 6, 2017

The following children are eligible for the benefits.

• Those attaining 18 years
• Those between 18 and 25 years but still in the process of receiving education
• Those in special circumstances

The parents and other guardians receive the benefit through funds transfer of the applicable amount to a German bank.

Child Benefit Payment Amount

For the first and second child, the payment is € 184. The third child is € 190. After the third child, the pay is € 215.

The children living in other countries may be eligible but under particular conditions.

People settling in Germany may not be aware that they are eligible for child benefit scheme and may fail to apply. However, non-EU-citizens such as from USA or Canada are eligible to receive these benefits.

There are other allowances associated with child benefits, and they include child allowance usually claimed on the tax income return. Payments to healthcare schemes related to children are deductible on the yearly taxable amount. There is also an allowance for single parents amounting to € 1,308 every year. For the education of the child over the age of 18 years, parents can claim € 924.

Child Benefit UK

In the UK, any person can fill the child benefit application form if under their care there is a minor

• Below the age of 16
• Are 16 or r17 years plus has stopped education or training. However, they must meet the applicable extension rues.
• They can also be between 16 and 20 years but have enrolled in an approved training or advanced course which they entered before they attained the age of 19.

The rules pertaining to 19-year olds are a bit complex and should reliable advice on eligibility.

In a two-parent family, the benefit typically goes to the mother. If the parents live separately, they the one taking care of the child.

Currently, EU citizens working in the UK can claim child benefit, even if their children are not living in the UK.

— V (@Victorialush) October 17, 2017

How much is paid as child benefit in the UK?

The amounts are paid out a higher rate for the oldest child. It is usually £20.70 and £13.70 per week for each of the other children. You will get this money for each of the children under your guardianship.

However, if in addition to receiving child benefits you or your spouse has an income of £50,000 or more, then there is an income tax charge. This reduces the total amount that you receive.

How to get Child Benefit 

In the UK, child benefit is sent directly to the bank account, Post Office or even building society. It is also made by simple payment if for any reason you are not in a position to open and manage any of the accounts.

The pay usually is at intervals of four weeks. However, if you are a single parent or receiving income-based jobseekers allowance, then you receive the allowance on a weekly basis.

Final word

Child benefits in Germany are so far the best in comparison to the US – it is more than double that of most states in the United States. For example in Michigan, it is about $1056. However, there were rumors that the country may be seeking to reduce its child benefits wage bill. In the child benefit changes 2017, the nation seeks to copy the UK by indexing the payments to where the children live and the cost of living.

The UK has some of the most favorable straight cash payments. There are also several places that beneficiaries can receive their cash including the post office and physical payments for those that can’t maintain a bank account.

Photo by familymwr

Sources

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Child-Benefit/How-much-Child-Benefit-will-I-get

http://ihr-kindergeld.de

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/canada-child-benefit.html

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/23/germany-angela-merkel-eu-countries-keen-copy-uk-child-benefit-peg

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