The draft law by Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) proposes that couples receive the benefit for a maximum of twelve months – two months less than before. If one parent foregoes the minimum three months of parental leave, the benefit period shortens to nine months. Previously, two months per parent were sufficient for the full period.
The planned increase of the maximum amount to 1,900 euros per month does not compensate for price increases, as parental allowance has not been adjusted since its introduction in 2007. The proportion of fathers receiving parental allowance remains low despite the reform.
Source: www.zeit.de
