Frau mit Kindern in Berlin
Foto: Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez / dpa
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) currently considers the planned introduction of the child basic income at the beginning of 2025 to be unfeasible. The BA is quoted by the „Tagesspiegel“ as stating that the previously announced goal of implementing the child basic income by January 1, 2025 is now considered unrealistic.
The Federal Agency justifies its doubts about the start date by stating that significant changes to existing IT programs and interfaces are necessary. Additionally, new IT solutions need to be developed. However, there is currently no administrative contractual authorization to even begin the work, especially since there is no funding available for it.
The Federal Employment Agency assists parents in applying for a variety of family benefits, such as child benefit or child supplement. It is also expected to play a central role in the planned child basic security.
The BA stated in response to the request from the German Press Agency that a „lead time of at least 12 months for the complex legislative project is required“ in order to successfully implement it. The BA has repeatedly pointed this out. „According to the schedule described by Minister Paus, a draft law ready for implementation by the administration is expected to be available only in February 2024, following the decision of the Federal Council. Therefore, implementation by January 1, 2025 will not be possible based on the current status.“
Finanzminister Christian Lindner (FDP) und Familienministerin Lisa Paus (Grüne) hatten monatelang um die Finanzierung der Kindergrundsicherung gerungen. Anfang vergangener Woche einigten sich beide schließlich auf Details zur Finanzierung des Vorhabens. Der Zeitplan von Familienministerin Paus sieht vor, dass die Kindergrundsicherung 2025 in Kraft tritt.