Kindergeld application translation help - Germany

I stupidly assumed I wasn't eligible to receive Kindergeld until 9 months after my baby was born and someone then told me everyone can receive this money. So I applied and have received this letter asking for more information. One statement is:

"Teilen Sie mir bitte mit, weshalb Sie erst jetzt Kindergeld beantragen. "

I tried to translate this using the internet and I'm still unsure. Is this asking if this is the first time I'm applying for Kindergeld or is this asking why I'm applying so late?

Can you please help me respond: "I am applying for my Kindergeld now for the first time because I earlier made the mistake believing I was not eligible due to being a foreigner".

Also, what does this mean "insb. der Niederlassungs- bzw Aufenthaltserlaubnis"?

Thanks soooo much for your help. I really appreciate it!

Dawn

Hi Dawn,
In the first sentence, they want to know why you are only applying now for Kindergeld.

Here is my stab at a translation, which I'm sure a pro will tell you isn't perfect, but should get the point across. Das Kindergeld beantrage ich erst jetzt, da ich meine Rechte nicht kannte. Ich dachte, als Ausländer, ich hätte keinen Anspruch darauf. (In English: I am applying only now for the Kindergeld because I didn't know my rights. I thought that as a foreigner, I had no right to claim it.)

The insb. der... etc:

They want you to supply your residence permit.

Hope this helps.

BTW: do you have a German-speaking friend to go along when you deal with them in person?

The latter.


Ich beantrage Kindergeld erst jetzt, da mir bisher nicht bewusst war, dass ich als Ausländer Anspruch darauf habe.


"insb." means "insbesondere" means "in particular".
"Aufenthaltserlaubnis" = "residence permit" (a limited one)
"Niederlassungserlaubnis" = a permanent "residence permit"
Cant say more without context.

Silty1,

Thanks so much! I'm very grateful!
No, I don't have anyone to help me go in person, but we usually manage by being very apologetic.

Dawn

Thank you Freising as well. I always find the abbreviations especially hard to figure out.

Sent you a P.M. to copy and paste