Elterngeld for wife - Germany

Hello Germany,

We are staying in Braunschweig since SEP-2008. Recently my wife (who is on a dependent visa) gave birth to a baby in May 2009.
I am working full time here and my wife is only at home. I wish to know if my wife is eligible to get Elterngeld?
Could someone suggest.

Thanx,
newbie

At most she would get 300 euros a month.

Thanx for ther reply. But the question was whether she will be eligible or not in the first place.
If yes ..then the rest can be discussed.

Then you need to give more information e.g. whether you are both EU nationals or not (I assume not), whether she has ever worked in Germany and so on, if we don't have all the information, we have no way in which to offer advice.

OP if you look at your previous topic on the subject you'll see some more info on who to contact re.eligibility.
http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=141365&st=0&p=1699170&fromsearch=1&#entry1699170
(Familienkasse http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/nn_12876/Navigation/Dienststellen/RD-NSB/Braunschweig/Agentur/Buerger/Kindergeld/Kindergeld-Nav.html)

Sure. As you assume, we both are not EU citizens. And wife has never worked in Germany as she is on a dependent visa with me. As said before I have work permit and currently full time employed.
Let me know if you need any specific info.

Thanx,
newbie

I am not a lawyer....

1) Generally, the law says to treat foreigners exactly the same as Germans. Thus, as soon as you have a residence permit, you are eligible for the same things that Germans are, especially if you pay German taxes.

2) Just apply for the stuff you want, the worst that can happen is that they turn you down.

I don't believe either of you are eligible for Elterngeld. According to this source, you must be in possession of an unlimited work permit (such as a Niederlassungserlaubnis) or, in lieu of that, you must have been here and working (or collecting unemployment benefits) for at least three years: