There are different state achievements You might be eligible for:
1. Maintenance/alimony: Every child is basically entitled to maintenance. In the process, the parent with whom the child lives, makes his contribution by the care and upbringing of the child, while the other parent has to pay maintenance. If you receive no or too little maintenance from the alimony debtor, you can apply for a so-called maintenance advance at the responsible youth welfare office.
2. Child benefit: In the case of separated or divorced parents, child benefit is paid in full height to the parent in whose household the child lives.
3. Child supplement is granted to single parents who are able to meet their own needs in principle, but do not have sufficient financial resources to meet the needs of their children.
4. Housing benefit: Single parents with a low income can apply for housing allowance (rent subsidy) if they pay the rent of their apartment themselves and receive no further social benefits (Hartz IV, social assistance).
In addition to the youth welfare office, the free institutions also offer advice and support, such as charitable organizations such as the Caritas, the churches or non-profit associations. In addition to the youth welfare office, the free institutions also offer advice and support, such as charitable organizations such as the Caritas, the churches or non-profit associations. As a rule, counselling is free of charge as with the youth welfare office. The cases are all treated individually, please contact the local authorities and counseling centers.
Information and consultation in Nordrhein-Westfalen
General Information
https://www.mkffi.nrw/der-staat-foerdert-familien-durch-finanzielle-leistungen
http://www.familie-in-nrw.de/2820.html
https://www.caritas.de/hilfeundberatung/ratgeber/familie/alleinerziehende/tipps
https://www.caritas.de/magazin/kampagne/familie/familienhelfen/ratundhilfe/alleinerziehend
Association of single mothers and fathers NRW https://www.vamv-nrw.de/ueber-uns/ortsverbaende/