Wohngeld — Housing Benefit
Wohngeld (housing benefit) is a state subsidy for housing costs for people with low income who do not receive Bürgergeld (citizen's benefit). At the end of 2024, around 1.2 million households received Wohngeld; the average payment was €287/month [1]. Since January 2025, the benefit has been indexed by an average of 15% (about €30/month per household); the next scheduled adjustment is January 2027 [2].
What It Is
Wohngeld is a monthly payment that covers part of the costs of rent or maintaining owned housing. The benefit is calculated individually based on household income, number of household members, rent, and region [4].
Who Can Receive
Eligible for Wohngeld [3]:
- German citizens, EU citizens, or individuals with a residence permit
- Working people with low income and pensioners — but not recipients of Bürgergeld or Sozialhilfe (social assistance) [5]
- Those whose housing costs constitute a significant portion of income
- Students — only without a BAföG entitlement "in principle" (dem Grunde nach), see FAQ [8]
Payment Amount
The Wohngeld amount is calculated individually and depends on [4]:
- 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 at the end of 2024 was €287/month per household (Destatis data) [1]. Since January 2025, all payments increased by an average of 15% — roughly €30/month [2].
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
This example is approximate. The exact calculation depends on net income (after taxes and mandatory deductions) and the current Wohngeld tables; the Mietstufe logic (I–VII) is unchanged.
How to Apply
- Submit application to the Wohngeldbehörde (housing benefit office) — usually at the district administration of your city [3]
- 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 is granted from the first day of the month in which the application is submitted — there are no payments for earlier months [6]. The application date fixes the start of the period, so delaying the application costs money.
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]. The choice mechanics are covered in the FAQ.
History: the Wohngeld-Plus Reform and Indexation
The Wohngeld-Plus reform has been in effect since January 1, 2023: it expanded the circle of recipients and added the Heizkostenkomponente (heating component) and Klimakomponente (climate component) [10]. The number of recipient households grew by about 80% in 2023 [11].
The reform anchored a regular biennial indexation in the law [10]. The first took place in January 2025 (+15% on average); the next is expected in January 2027 [2]. There is no increase in 2026.
Duration and Renewal
Wohngeld is granted for 12 months [6]. After the period expires, you must submit a new application (Weiterbewilligungsantrag).
Submitting the renewal application 2–3 months before the end of the current period reduces the risk of payment interruptions.
FAQ
This is not legal or financial advice.
Wohngeld or Bürgergeld — how is it determined which one to receive?
Both benefits cannot be received at the same time: Bürgergeld recipients are excluded from Wohngeld (§ 7 WoGG) [5]. Wohngeld suits those who cover their living minimum themselves but need help with housing. The Jobcenter may refer claimants to Wohngeld as a priority benefit only if it (together with income and, with children, Kinderzuschlag) removes the need for at least 3 consecutive months (§ 12a SGB II) [9]. If income is insufficient even with Wohngeld, Bürgergeld applies — it covers housing in full. The outcome depends on the specific income and rent figures; the Wohngeldbehörde and Jobcenter advise free of charge.
Can students receive Wohngeld?
As a rule, no. Students with a BAföG entitlement "in principle" (dem Grunde nach) are excluded from Wohngeld — even if BAföG is not actually paid out, for example due to parental income (§ 20 WoGG) [8]. Exceptions: a second degree, a change of subject after the 4th semester, exceeding the maximum funding period (Förderungshöchstdauer), or a semester of leave. Eligibility is also possible if a household member without a BAföG entitlement lives in the household — for example, a child.
How long does processing take, and are past months paid?
Processing usually takes 4–8 weeks, longer in large cities. Wohngeld is granted from the first day of the application month (§ 25 WoGG) — there are no payments for months before the application [6]. Once approved, the amount accrued since the application month is paid out in one back payment. The application date therefore matters more than a complete document set: missing documents can be submitted later.
What happens if income changes during the payment period?
Wohngeld is granted for 12 months and is normally not recalculated within the period. The threshold is 15%: an increase in total income of more than 15% must be reported to the Wohngeldbehörde without delay; the benefit is then reduced or withdrawn (§ 27 WoGG) [7]. Failing to report can lead to a repayment claim. If income falls or rent rises by more than 15%, a recalculation upward can be requested [7].
Sources
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) — Wohngeld: rund 1,2 Millionen Haushalte am Jahresende 2024: https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Soziales/Wohngeld/aktuell-wohngeld.html
- Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen — Mehr Wohngeld ab Januar 2025: https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/SharedDocs/pressemitteilungen/DE/2024/12/wohngeld-2025.html
- Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen — Wohngeld: https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/Webs/BMWSB/DE/themen/stadt-wohnen/wohnraumfoerderung/wohngeld/wohngeld-node.html
- Wohngeldgesetz (WoGG): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/
- § 7 WoGG — Ausschluss bei anderen Sozialleistungen: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__7.html
- § 25 WoGG — Bewilligungszeitraum, Beginn der Leistung: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__25.html
- § 27 WoGG — Änderung des Wohngeldes: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__27.html
- § 20 WoGG — Gesetzeskonkurrenz (Ausschluss bei BAföG-Anspruch): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wogg/__20.html
- § 12a SGB II — Vorrangige Leistungen: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_2/__12a.html
- Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen — Wohngeldreform 2023 (Wohngeld-Plus): https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/Webs/BMWSB/DE/themen/stadt-wohnen/wohnraumfoerderung/wohngeld/wohngeldreform-2023/wohngeldreform-2023-node.html
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) — 80 % mehr Wohngeldhaushalte im Jahr 2023: https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2024/09/PD24_373_22311.html