Family - Barmer: Mothers worry more often than Fathers about sick children
Women in Sachsen-Anhalt file significantly more Child Sickness Benefit applications than Men. At Barmer health insurance, around 17,400 applications were filed by women and around 6,900 by men from January 1 to December 31, 2023, as stated. Women continue to bear the main burden of childcare, said Managing Director Axel Wiedemann.
Since January 1, parents have had an extended claim to Child Sickness Benefit. Each parent can now apply for the benefit for 15 days per child instead of the previous 10 days in a year. For single parents, the claim increases to 30 days per child. Parents with more than two children can receive Child Sickness Benefit for up to 35 days per child, and single parents with more than two children for up to 70 days. Child Sickness Benefit usually amounts to 90% of the lost net income. The benefit is available for every child who is legally insured and under 12 years old.
- Due to the extended Child Sickness Benefit claim, many single parents in Sachsen-Anhalt, especially women, now have an increased opportunity to take care of their ill children for longer periods.
- The Labor market in Saxony-Anhalt might see a shift in the participation of women, as the extended Child Sickness Benefit could provide more flexibility.
- Mothers and Fathers in Saxony-Anhalt can now share the responsibility of taking care of a sick child more equally, thanks to the extended Child Sickness Benefit.
- The increased claim for Child Sickness Benefit could potentially have a significant impact on the Sociodemographic structure of the families in Saxony-Anhalt, with men taking on more caring roles.
- Barmen, as well as other health insurance providers, should consider strategies to support single parents, who often face unique challenges in balancing work and family life, with the extended Child Sickness Benefit claim.
- Women in the Labor market, especially single parents, can now have more peace of mind knowing they can take time off to care for a child without suffering significant financial loss, due to the extended Child Sickness Benefit.
