It currently takes several months to process housing benefit applications. We are working hard to shorten the processing time. So that our caseworkers can put all their energy into processing the applications, we ask that you refrain from making inquiries about your housing benefit application. If you have received confirmation of receipt of your housing benefit application, your application is being processed.
Rent subsidy or encumbrance allowance
Housing benefit is paid as a rent subsidy or as an encumbrance allowance.
Tenants of an apartment or room receive a rent subsidy.
Owners of their own home or condominium receive an encumbrance allowance.
The prerequisite is that the tenant or owner uses the accommodation themselves and pays the rent or charges for it.
Whether and to what extent you are entitled to housing benefit depends on three factors:
The number of household members to be taken into account
The total income of the household members to be taken into account
the amount of the eligible rent or charges.
Recipients of so-called transfer benefitsare not entitled to housing benefit if their accommodation costs are taken into account as part of the respective benefit. These include, in particular, recipients of
Citizen's allowance according to SGB II
Assistance with living expenses according to SGB XII
Basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity according to SGB XII
Benefits in special cases and basic benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
The exclusion applies to all persons who belong to the community of need and have been taken into account when determining the transfer benefit. However, the persons concerned do not suffer any disadvantages, as in these cases the accommodation costs are covered by the respective transfer benefit authorities.
Single persons who are entitled to benefits under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) or vocational training allowance (BAB) are also not entitled. There is no entitlement to housing benefit if the claim would be abusive, in particular due to considerable assets.
Benefits for education and participation
For children for whom child benefit is received and who are taken into account when granting housing benefit, there is an entitlement to benefits for education and participation in accordance with the Federal Child Benefit Act. Currently, the confirmation of receipt of your housing benefit application is sufficient to apply for benefits for education and participation.
Subsidization of childcare contributions
If you receive housing benefit, you can apply for a subsidy for childcare contributions. The confirmation of receipt of your housing benefit application is currently sufficient to apply for the subsidy.