Germany’s coalition government plans to cut social spending by 8.6 billion euros ($9.3 billion), targeting support for children, youth and people with disabilities, according to a leaked document from the Chancellery.
The 108-page paper titled „Efficient Resource Utilization in Benefit Laws“ contains over 70 proposals developed by a working group of federal, state and municipal officials. The Paritätischer Gesamtverband, a social welfare association, disclosed the document to the press, calling it a „slash-and-burn“ approach to social policy.
Among the most controversial measures is the elimination of individual legal rights to school accompaniment services, which help children with disabilities participate in classroom activities. The proposal, also originating from the SPD-led Federal Ministry of Labour, would remove guaranteed support for students requiring assistance to attend school.
The document further proposes restricting the choice and decision-making rights of people with disabilities over their own support services, limiting their ability to arrange personal assistance and community participation independently.
Additional cuts target young adults transitioning from youth welfare, with the abolition of aftercare programs that currently help them establish independent living. For young refugees, the paper suggests placement in reduced-standard group housing starting at age 16.
A separate but related proposal gaining traction involves reversing reforms to the child maintenance advance system. Municipal associations argue the 2017 expansion — which extended eligibility to children up to age 18 and removed the six-year benefit limit — has driven costs from 860.67 million euros to 3.24 billion euros between 2016 and 2024, although recoveries from liable parents rose only from 197 million to 544 million euros.
The Chancellery has not confirmed the authenticity of the leaked document, and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs declined to comment on unpublished materials. Municipal associations stated they are in ongoing discussions with the Chancellery and several states to address rising social expenditures, which they say have pushed municipal deficits beyond 30 billion euros annually.
The coalition previously pursued savings through stricter sanctions on basic security benefits, projecting only double-digit million-euro savings from that avenue. In contrast, the planned increase in the commuter allowance alone costs 1.1 billion euros.
Critics argue the focus on vulnerable populations contradicts earlier campaign promises to support families and reduce bureaucracy, while noting declining public trust in the CDU/CSU’s economic management.
What specific services for children with disabilities are at risk of being cut?
The leaked document proposes eliminating the individual legal right to school accompaniment, which provides support for classroom participation, and restricting the choice of support services for people with disabilities over their own care arrangements.
How do municipal associations justify their proposal to reverse the child maintenance advance reforms?
Municipal associations cite a nearly fourfold increase in program costs — from 860.67 million euros in 2016 to 3.24 billion euros in 2024 — while recoveries from liable parents rose only modestly from 197 million to 544 million euros over the same period.
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