Wohngeld — Housing Benefit
Wohngeld (housing benefit) is a state subsidy for housing costs for working individuals with low income. Since January 2023, after the Wohngeld-Plus reform, the number of recipients increased from 600,000 to approximately 2 million households, and the average payment doubled to €190 per month [1]. Unlike Bürgergeld, Wohngeld is for working people whose income is insufficient to cover rent.
What It Is
Wohngeld is a monthly payment that covers part of the costs for rent or maintaining owned housing. The benefit is calculated individually based on household income, number of family members, rent, and region [2].
Who Can Receive
Eligible for Wohngeld [3]:
- German citizens, EU citizens, or individuals with a residence permit
- Working individuals with low income (but not receiving Bürgergeld or Sozialhilfe)
- Housing costs constitute a significant portion of income
- Pensioners and students (if income requirements are met)
Payment Amount
The Wohngeld amount is calculated individually and depends on [2]:
- Number of household members
- Total income of all household members
- Rent or housing maintenance costs
- Region — Mietstufe (rent level, from I to VII)
The average payment after the 2023 reform is €190 per month [1]. Range of payments: €50 to €650 per month depending on circumstances.
Calculation Example
Family of 3, Berlin (Mietstufe IV):
- Income €2,500 gross per month
- Rent €1,000 (warm — including utilities)
- Possible Wohngeld amount: approximately €200–300 per month
The exact calculation depends on net income (after taxes and mandatory deductions) and current Wohngeld tables.
How to Apply
- Submit application to Wohngeldbehörde (housing benefit office) — usually at the district administration of your city [4]
- Attach documents:
- Proof of income for all household members (salary statements, pension, benefits)
- Rental contract (Mietvertrag) or documents on housing costs
- ID for all household members
- Proof of household composition (e.g., children's birth certificates)
- Processing time: usually 4–8 weeks
- Payment arrives monthly to your bank account
Wohngeld vs Bürgergeld
| Criterion | Wohngeld | Bürgergeld |
|---|---|---|
| Target group | Working individuals with low income | Unemployed or needy |
| What it covers | Subsidy for part of rent | Full housing payment + living minimum |
| Asset check | Not required | Strict check of savings and property |
| Status | Benefit recipient, but working | Social assistance recipient |
You cannot receive both benefits simultaneously [5]. If you are eligible for Bürgergeld, Wohngeld is not granted.
2023 Reform: Wohngeld-Plus
Effective January 1, 2023, the Wohngeld-Plus reform took effect [1]:
- Number of recipients: increased from 600,000 to approximately 2 million households (tripled)
- Average payment: increased from €95 to €190 per month (doubled)
- Heating component (Heizkostenkomponente): supplement for heating costs
- Climate component (Klimakomponente): accounts for CO₂ emissions from heating
The reform automatically indexes Wohngeld when housing and energy prices rise.
After the 2023 reform, the number of recipients tripled. If your income was previously above the limit, check your eligibility again — the conditions have changed.
Duration and Renewal
Wohngeld is granted for 12 months [6]. After the period expires, you must submit a new application (Weiterbewilligungsantrag).
Submit your renewal application 2–3 months before the end of the current period to avoid interruptions in payments.
Sources
- Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen. "Wohngeld-Plus-Gesetz" (2023). https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/Webs/BMWSB/DE/themen/stadt-wohnen/wohnraumfoerderung/wohngeld/wohngeldreform-2023/wohngeldreform-2023-node.html
- Wohngeldgesetz (WoGG). Bundesministerium der Justiz. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/
- Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen. "Wer hat Anspruch auf Wohngeld?" https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/Webs/BMWSB/DE/themen/stadt-wohnen/wohnraumfoerderung/wohngeld/wohngeld-node.html
- Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen. "Wohngeld beantragen". https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/Webs/BMWSB/DE/wohngeld/wohngeld-liste.html
- § 7 Abs. 1 WoGG: Ausschluss bei anderen Sozialleistungen. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__7.html
- § 25 WoGG: Bewilligungszeitraum. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__25.html