Birth decline: maternity allowance in the Duchy of Lauenburg drops drastically!

Birth decline: maternity allowance in the Duchy of Lauenburg drops drastically!

In the Duchy of Lauenburg, the expenditure for maternity allowance has dropped remarkably. This is not an isolated trend, but is related to the generally declining births in Schleswig-Holstein, which in 2023 reached the lowest level since 2013 with only 22,190 births. According to a current evaluation of the AOK Nordwest, only 137 AOK-insured maternity allowance received 158 cases in 2022. In total, the AOK Nordwest paid almost 193,000 euros in maternity allowance in 2023, which is a significant decline compared to the almost 223,000 euros in 2022.

Reinhard Wunsch, the AOK service manager, emphasizes the importance of maternity allowance: "Maternity money is an important financial support for expectant mothers. The performance is paid by the statutory health insurance companies as a reimbursement rate for the duration of statutory maternity protection." For many women, this donation is an essential part of their financial planning during the expected birth.

claims on maternity allowance

becoming mothers who are insured by law as employees are entitled to maternity allowance that is paid during certain protection periods - specifically six weeks before and eight weeks after childbirth. In the case of multiple or premature births, this period is extended to a total of twelve weeks. The maternity allowance is set at a maximum of 13 euros per calendar day. If the average net wage fee is above, the employer is obliged to pay the difference to maternity allowance as a grant so that the income level can be maintained during maternity leave.

In addition to maternity allowance, the AOK Nordwest also offers various services during pregnancy. This includes assuming the costs for medical care and preventive examinations. In the event of a hospital stay or health complaints that affect the management of the household, health insurance companies can also provide domestic help if the requirements are met. Furthermore, the AOK supports its pregnant insured with a 500 euro health budget, which can be used for services such as the 24-hour calling of a midwife or birth preparation courses.

For many women, access to comprehensive information and support offers during and after pregnancy is of great importance. The entire range of services of the AOK northwest, including the details of maternity allowance and other supports, can be accessed online at aok.de/nw