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🇩🇪 Germany

Wohngeld Housing Benefit

Housing Allowance Application

Hard ~45 min HousingBenefitsRentWohngeld

/ What is this form?

Wohngeld is Germany's federal housing benefit (Wohngeldgesetz), designed to help low-income households afford their housing costs. There are two variants: Mietzuschuss (rent subsidy) for renters and Lastenzuschuss (burden subsidy) for homeowners paying mortgage costs. The amount depends on three factors: total household income, number of household members, and the applicable rent ceiling based on the local Mietstufe classification.

The Wohngeld-Plus reform that took effect on January 1, 2023 was the most significant expansion of Wohngeld in decades. Income thresholds were raised by approximately 25%, a new climate component was added to the formula, and a permanent heating cost supplement (Heizkostenzuschuss) was integrated. The number of eligible households jumped from approximately 600,000 to an estimated 1.4 million, pulling many households previously dependent on means-tested Bürgergeld into the dedicated housing benefit instead.

Applications are processed by local Wohngeldbehörden (municipal housing offices). The application form covers all household members, their combined income, and the housing costs. Approval is typically granted for 12 months and must be renewed. Wohngeld cannot be combined with Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe, or other benefits that already include a housing component.

/ Who needs this form?

  • Renters whose household income is low relative to their rent — particularly pensioners, single parents, and low-wage workers
  • Homeowners with low income who are still repaying a mortgage on their primary residence
  • Households who recently lost eligibility for Bürgergeld due to higher income but whose income is still too low to cover rising rents
  • Students in subsidized housing who do not receive BAföG accommodation component
  • Households in cities with high Mietstufen (tier V–VII) where rent consumes a disproportionate share of income

/ What you need before you start

Rental contract (Mietvertrag) and most recent rent payment documentation
Income documentation for all household members: last 12 months of pay slips, pension statements, Bürgergeld notices, child benefit (Kindergeld) receipts
Current Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate) for all household members
Bank statements showing rent payments
For Lastenzuschuss: mortgage statements, property tax bill, and proof of ownership
Steuer-ID for each household member

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Determine Eligibility
Wohngeld is available to households whose income falls below income thresholds that vary by household size and city Mietstufe (rent level tier, I–VII). You are NOT eligible if any household member receives Bürgergeld, BAföG (with accommodation component), Sozialhilfe, or certain other full welfare benefits — these already include housing support.
2 Collect Household Information
List every person living in the household — names, dates of birth, income from all sources (salary, pensions, child benefits, rental income, etc.). Every household member's income counts toward the total. Gather the last 12 months of income documentation for each person.
3 Document Your Rent or Housing Costs
For renters (Mietzuschuss): provide your rental agreement and current rent amount including Nebenkosten (utilities billed by landlord). For homeowners (Lastenzuschuss): provide mortgage statements showing monthly principal + interest payments and the annual property tax bill. The benefit covers only housing costs up to the local Wohngeld ceiling — excess rent above the limit is not subsidized.
4 Complete and Submit the Application
Submit the Wohngeld application to your local Wohngeldbehörde (usually the municipal housing office or Rathaus). The form requires signatures from all adult household members. In some municipalities, forms are available online and can be submitted digitally; others require paper submission in person or by post.
5 Renewal
Wohngeld approval typically lasts 12 months. You must re-apply before the expiry date — there is no automatic extension. During the approval period, report significant income changes (new job, pay raise, new household member) within one month, as Wohngeld is calculated on actual income.

/ Key fields explained

Field What to enter Common mistake
Haushaltsgröße (Household Size) Number of people who live in the dwelling and are registered at the address. Each person counts, including children. People counted must be registered (angemeldet) at the address. Not listing all household members — even if a partner or child has separate income, they must be listed. Omitting household members leads to incorrect calculations and potential overpayment recovery.
Monatliche Miete / Belastung For renters: monthly gross rent (Bruttomiete) including cold rent plus Nebenkosten. For homeowners: monthly mortgage installment (principal + interest) plus annual property tax divided by 12. Submitting only the cold rent (Nettokaltmiete) and forgetting Nebenkosten — utilities included in the rent are part of the Wohngeld calculation.
Gesamteinkommen (Total Household Income) Annual gross income of all household members, including: employment income, pensions, rental income, child support, Kindergeld, investment income. The Wohngeldbehörde applies a standard deduction formula to arrive at anrechenbares Einkommen. Forgetting to include Kindergeld as household income — it counts in full toward the income calculation.
Mietstufe Your city's Mietstufe (I–VII) is assigned by the federal government. Look up your municipality on the official table. The Mietstufe determines the maximum rent covered by Wohngeld. Using the wrong Mietstufe — some large cities are split into multiple Mietstufen depending on the district. Using a lower tier than your actual one results in a lower benefit amount.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Applying for Wohngeld while a household member receives Bürgergeld — the two cannot be combined. Households receiving Bürgergeld must first exit that system before claiming Wohngeld.
Missing the renewal deadline — Wohngeld does not automatically renew. Applications submitted after expiry are backdated only to the new application date, not the expiry of the previous approval.
Not reporting income increases — if household income rises significantly during the approval period, Wohngeld may be recalculated and overpayments recovered.
Failing to list all income sources — undisclosed income (e.g., cash rental income, side jobs) discovered through tax records triggers repayment demands.
Applying at the wrong office — Wohngeldbehörde is part of the municipal administration, not the Jobcenter (which handles Bürgergeld) or Finanzamt.

/ Frequently asked questions

How much Wohngeld can I receive?

The amount varies by household size, income, and local Mietstufe. A single-person household with low income in a high-cost city might receive €300-400/month; a family of four with average income might receive €150-250/month. Use the online Wohngeld calculator at bmwsb.bund.de.

Can I receive Wohngeld as a foreigner in Germany?

Yes, if you have a valid residence permit. EU citizens and non-EU citizens with a residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) that allows employment or long-term stay are eligible. Asylum seekers and those with a Duldung (tolerated stay) are generally not eligible.

Does Wohngeld count as income for tax purposes?

No. Wohngeld is tax-free and does not count as income for any other social benefit calculation — however, it may affect means-tested benefits. It does not affect your tax class or Steuer-ID.

I received more Wohngeld than I was entitled to — what happens?

If your income increased during the approval period and you did not report it, the Wohngeldbehörde can recover overpaid amounts. You have an obligation to report income changes within one month. The office will issue a demand for repayment.