Familienkasse letter explained in English

Family benefits office. Pays child benefit (Kindergeld).

Letters you may get

• Bescheid über Kindergeld — approval or rejection
• Aufforderung zur Mitwirkung — they need proof, for example a school certificate

What to do

• If you don’t send the requested proof, they can stop the payments.
• Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb”.
• Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
• If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Einspruch”, “Widerspruch”). See the template.

Words you may see

Bescheid

Official decision. It becomes final if you don’t object in time.

Forderung

Claim. Money someone says you owe.

Mitwirkungspflicht

Your duty to help, for example by sending documents. If you don’t, they can stop payments.

Questions

What is the Familienkasse?

Family benefits office. Pays child benefit (Kindergeld).

How long do I have to answer a letter from the Familienkasse?

It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb” — they mark the deadline. In Germany, a posted official letter usually counts as delivered on the 4th day after it was sent. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Einspruch”, “Widerspruch”).

Can I read a Familienkasse letter in English?

Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.

Other offices in Germany

Finanzamt · Hauptzollamt · Jobcenter · Agentur für Arbeit · Ausländerbehörde · Bürgeramt · ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice · Krankenkasse