Frequently asked questions about Housing benefit

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about housing benefit.

When and how will I receive housing benefit?

Housing benefit is only provided if you are entitled and the application has been submitted. The payment begins (retrospectively) for the month in which the application was made. Housing benefit is only granted for full months, so if you submit the application on the 30th of a month, it will be paid for the full month. You can easily submit the application online, by email, by mail, or in person. In addition to the application, we will need proof from you, such as documentation of your rent and income. A more detailed list of the required documents can be found below.

I am already receiving benefits, can I still receive housing benefit?

It depends: If you are receiving another social benefit that includes rent costs, such as citizen’s income (Bürgergeld) or basic security (Grundsicherung), it would need to be checked whether the housing benefit would be higher. Since housing benefit is only a subsidy for rent, you can generally assume that it will be lower if your full rent and part of the basic needs are already covered. The social services office will usually ask you to apply for housing benefit if they suspect that housing benefit would be a better option for you.

If only one household member receives basic security, for example, because one is already receiving a small pension while the other is still working, housing benefit could be provided to just one person.

The legal regulations on this matter can be quite unclear, so feel free to get advice from us.

There is generally nothing preventing you from receiving housing benefit if you receive child allowances or benefits for education and participation.

Do I also receive an exemption from broadcasting fees or a ticket (for public transport) when receiving housing benefit?

No. Eligibility for housing benefit does not entitle you to an exemption from broadcasting fees or a mobility ticket. If you are switching from the Jobcenter or basic income support to us, and housing benefit — when taking into account the cost of a public transport ticket or the broadcasting fee exemption — is lower than your previous benefits, you can seek advice from your former social welfare office regarding a so-called hardship provision.

How long is housing benefit paid?

Housing benefit is generally granted for a period of 12 months. If your income remains stable — for example, in the case of pensioners — the period may be extended to 18 months. If changes in income are expected, such as the end of a fixed-term employment contract or sickness benefits, the period must be shortened accordingly.

My housing benefit is ending. What do I need to do to continue receiving it?

To continue receiving housing benefit, you need to submit a new application. You can do this up to two months before your current housing benefit ends. For example, if your benefit ends on November 30th and you wish to continue receiving it from December 1st, you can submit your new application in October. However, this is the earliest possible date — for uninterrupted benefit payments, it is still possible to apply in December.

In addition to the application, supporting documents are required for the information you provide — but not as many as for an initial application. You can find details below on which documents we need again.

How can I apply online, and what do I need for it?

You can now submit your housing benefit application entirely online and upload your supporting documents digitally. In addition to internet access, you’ll need a way to register. You can log in using your BundID, either with your email and a password or by using your online ID function.

If you wish to create a BundID account, you will be redirected to the appropriate website. If you need help activating your online ID function, the staff at the service center (Bürgerservice) will be happy to assist you.

I am already receiving housing benefit. My rent or income has changed, or someone has moved in or out — do I need to report this?

Yes, in certain cases you do need to report changes:

If your rent increases by 10% or your income decreases by 10%, you may be entitled to a higher amount of housing benefit. Please feel free to submit the relevant documents — we will review your case. If it turns out that you're eligible for a higher benefit, you will need to fill out an application for an increase and submit the documents marked with an asterisk (*), as you would with a renewal application.

If your rent decreases by 15% or your income increases by 15%, we are required to review whether a new entitlement applies from the time of the change.

If someone moves in or out of your household, there is no general rule — such changes should always be reported so we can assess your situation individually.

Not sure whether the 10% or 15% thresholds apply to you? No problem — just send us your updated documents. We’ll check everything for you and let you know if further steps are needed or if your current benefit remains unchanged.

My housing benefit notice and the result from the housing benefit calculator don’t match — why?

The housing benefit calculator is only a rough guide as to whether you might be eligible for housing benefit.
Please do not rely on it for an exact calculation. Our staff will carry out a more detailed assessment to determine whether you are actually entitled to receive housing benefit.

Still have doubts about the calculation?
You have the right to file an appeal against the decision within the legal time limits.

Which documents do I need to submit with my application?

Below you will find a list of documents required for processing your application. Please note that this list is not exhaustive — additional documents may be requested depending on your specific situation. Several of the listed items may apply depending on your or your household members’ individual circumstances.

Documents marked with an asterisk (*) are also required when applying for an extension of housing benefit.

Important:
Please do not submit original documents if possible. If you are unable to make copies or submit documents digitally, we will be happy to make copies for you during our consultation hours.

In rare cases where submitting an original is necessary, please clearly mark it as original. We will return it to you, but please be aware that this may take some time.

I am employed…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on employment:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Rental contract
Current breakdown of rent if it differs from the rental contract or has changed since the last housing benefit claim *
Bank statement as proof that the rent is being paid *
Employment contract
**Payslips for the last 6 months *
Proof of special payments in the last 12 months *
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income is present *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs

I am retired…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your pension status:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Rental contract
Current breakdown of rent if it differs from the rental contract or has changed since the last housing benefit claim *
Bank statement as proof that the rent is being paid *
Pension notice from the statutory pension insurance *
Other pension notices, such as from company pensions, foreign pensions, or pension supplements *
If applicable, proof of whether basic pension periods have been fulfilled
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income exists *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs
If applicable, proof of other income (e.g., workshop income)
If you are receiving reduced earning capacity pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente), please also submit the notice that specifies the duration of your pension, along with the latest notification of changes.

I live with children…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation with children:

Residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Birth certificate(s)
Proof of child benefit (bank statement) *
Proof of alimony or advance maintenance payments *
Proof of joint custody arrangement, including a breakdown of the respective care times for you and the other parent, signed *
If your child is at least 15 years old, school certificate
Please check the situation for apprentices or students, if applicable for your child.

I am receiving sickness benefit or transitional benefit…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation with sickness or transitional benefits:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Rental contract
Current breakdown of rent if it differs from the rental contract or has changed since the last housing benefit claim *
Bank statement as proof that the rent is being paid *
Notice from your health insurance provider stating the daily gross sickness benefit or transitional benefit
Please provide a brief statement on whether the end of your sickness or transitional benefit is foreseeable
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income exists *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs

I am receiving unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I)…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation with unemployment benefit I:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Rental contract
Current breakdown of rent if it differs from the rental contract or has changed since the last housing benefit claim *
Bank statement as proof that the rent is being paid *
Notice of unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I notice)
Please provide a brief statement on whether the end of your unemployment benefit is foreseeable
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income exists *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs

I am a resident of a care home…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation as a care home resident:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Care home contract
Care home invoice *
Proof of payment for the care home invoice (bank statement) *
Pension notice from the statutory pension insurance *
Other pension notices, such as from company pensions, foreign pensions, or pension supplements *
If applicable, proof of whether basic pension periods have been fulfilled
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income exists *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs
If applicable, proof of other income (e.g., workshop income) *
If you are married, also submit your spouse's pension notice and rental or housing costs *
Notice of care assistance, including all pages of the calculation sheet and the cost contribution statement, if you are married, or a brief statement that you do not receive this benefit *

I am an apprentice (Azubi)…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation as an apprentice:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Rental contract
Current breakdown of rent if it differs from the rental contract or has changed since the last housing benefit claim *
Bank statement as proof that the rent is being paid *
Apprenticeship contract
**Payslips for the last 6 months *
Proof of special payments in the last 12 months *
Notice of vocational training allowance (this benefit takes precedence over housing benefit, so the proof is absolutely required; an informal statement is not sufficient if you do not live with your parents) *
Proof of child benefit (if you are not living with your parents and are under 25 years old) *
Proof of alimony or financial support
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income exists *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs

I am a student…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your student status:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Rental contract
Current breakdown of rent if it differs from the rental contract or has changed since the last housing benefit claim *
Bank statement as proof that the rent is being paid *
Enrollment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung)
Proof of payment of tuition fees (bank statement) *
Proof of health and long-term care insurance (possibly pension insurance), in the form of the insurance policy, a recent bill, and a bank statement *
Notice of BAföG (this benefit takes precedence over housing benefit, so the proof is absolutely required; an informal statement is not sufficient) *
Proof of child benefit (if you are not living with your parents and are under 25 years old) *
Proof of alimony or financial support
Proof of additional income, such as a student job contract, payslips, scholarships, student loans, etc.
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income exists *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs

I am receiving citizen's income (Bürgergeld), basic security (Grundsicherung), asylum seeker benefits, or have applied for them…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation:

Complete notice, including all pages of the calculation sheet or a brief statement that you have applied for the benefits, if no notice has been issued yet *
If you are employed and receive additional support or if you are a pensioner, please refer to the documents listed in the previous sections.

I am self-employed…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your self-employment status:

Identity card or residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Rental contract
Current breakdown of rent if it differs from the rental contract or has changed since the last housing benefit claim *
Bank statement as proof that the rent is being paid *
Income forecast for the current calendar year (from January 1 to December 31) *
Income and profit statement for the last quarter *
Business registration (if required)
Most recent tax assessment notice
Proof of health and long-term care insurance (possibly pension insurance), in the form of the insurance policy, a recent bill, and a bank statement *
Current proof of payment for income tax, if applicable (corresponding notice and associated bank statement) *
Proof of capital income (interest, dividends, etc.) from the previous calendar year, or a brief statement that no such income exists *
If applicable, proof of disability or care needs

I am pregnant or receiving parental allowance (Elterngeld)…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation:

Certificate from the health insurance company about maternity allowance (Mutterschaftsgeld) *
Certificate from your employer about maternity allowance (Mutterschaftsgeld) *
Birth certificate of the child and residence permit (if available, including any additional pages)
Or maternity pass, if your child has not yet been born
Complete notice about parental allowance (including attachments) *
If applicable, payslips before receiving maternity or parental allowance, if your child has not yet been born and you are applying for housing benefit from that point onward (also for partial months, e.g., maternity/parental allowance does not start on the 1st of the month in which you apply for housing benefit) *

I live in a shared apartment (WG)…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your situation in a shared living arrangement:

A brief explanation of your relationship to the people you live with (e.g., friend, partner, fellow student, brother, etc.) and how you share expenses (e.g., shopping, division of living space)
Breakdown of the living space distribution (square meters of your own room, square meters of the rooms of other flatmates, and the shared common areas used by each person, such as bathroom, kitchen, hallway)
Breakdown of rent based on the square meters or number of people in the shared apartment (excluding electricity costs or internet) * [Possible link to form: WG distribution attachment]
Main rental contract and, if available, an additional sublease contract
Proof of payment for your share of the rent and the main rent payment from the person responsible for paying it *

I am the owner of my dwelling…

In addition to your documents or those of your household members, the following documents are required based on your ownership status:

Land register excerpt as proof of ownership
Proof of living space (possibly link to form: Attachment for Housing Benefit Application)
Property tax assessment notice and proof of payment *
Loan agreement
Proof of loan payment (bank statement showing the respective payment and the statement of the loan account) *
Proof of payment of operating costs (water, sewage, chimney sweep, street cleaning, etc.) *
Proof of management fees for an ownership apartment, if applicable *