The child benefit reference number
According to the Federal Employment Agency, the child benefit reference number consists of digits and letters in a particular order. The agency writes it as a sample like this: 000FK000000.
It is issued as soon as Kindergeld is applied for the first time, and stays the same after that.
Where to find it
According to the Federal Employment Agency, it appears in two places:
- on every letter from the Familienkasse, at the top right next to the contact details;
- in the reference of the transfer on the bank statement.
Some letters from the Familienkasse call it Kennnummer. The same number is meant.
It belongs in every contact with the Familienkasse so that the enquiry is assigned to the right file.
The last digit determines the payment day
The last digit of the child benefit reference number is the final digit. According to the Federal Employment Agency it determines when Kindergeld and any Kinderzuschlag are paid out.
No number yet
Anyone applying for Kindergeld for the first time does not have one yet. It comes with the first letter from the Familienkasse.
The application can be submitted without it.
Do not confuse
The child benefit reference number is not the tax identification number. The Familienkasse asks for both in the application.