Applying for housing benefit for the first time or again

• You submit your application in writing using the form provided or with the help of the online service. You can send the form by post to the housing benefit office responsible for you or hand it in in person.
• The authority will check your application and send you a decision.
• If approved, housing benefit is generally granted for twelve months.

You must be entitled to housing benefit as an applicant. You are eligible for a rent subsidy as:

• Tenants of residential property,
• Subtenant and subtenant of living space,
• Residents of a co-operative or foundation flat,
• Residents of a care home,
• Tenant-like authorised users, in particular holders of a tenant-like permanent right of residence,
• Owners of an apartment building (three or more flats), a commercial building or a business if you live in this building,
• Owners of a detached or semi-detached house in which you live but which also contains business premises to such an extent that it can no longer be regarded as a home,
• Owners of a full-time agricultural business whose residential part is not separated from the economic part.
• Women who live in women's shelters, even if the payment is calculated on a daily basis.
• a person who is assigned to homeless accommodation or third-party accommodation by the homelessness authority, even if the user fee (which is not, for example, based on the number of days or differentiated according to adults and children) is paid to the homelessness authority,

You are eligible for a housing benefit subsidy as:

• Owners of their own home or condominium,
• Owners of a small housing estate,
• Owners of an agricultural sideline,
• Owners of a full-time agricultural property if the residential and commercial parts are separate and a housing benefit calculation can be made for the residential part,
• Holders of a permanent right of residence similar to ownership
• Leasehold owners and those who are entitled to the transfer of ownership of the building or flat or to the transfer or granting of the leasehold.

The owner of the residential property must occupy the residential property and bear the costs.

It is best to contact the relevant office in advance to find out what documents you need. In principle, you must provide the following proof of housing costs or charges:

• on transfer benefits (e.g. assistance with living expenses, social benefits, basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity, benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act)
• Certificate of earnings for the application for housing benefit,
• increased income-related expenses must be proven according to the tax assessment notice,
• current notifications of pension payments of any kind,
• on benefits under the Third Book of the Social Code - Labour Promotion (e.g. unemployment benefit I, short-time working allowance, transitional allowance),
• Proof of sick pay and other wage replacement benefits,
• last tax assessment notice (for self-employed persons/traders).

To be on the safe side, please state all income of all household members in cash or cash equivalents, regardless of its source and regardless of whether the income is taxable or not. This will avoid unnecessary queries. The Housing Benefit Office will then check which of the income can be offset. If necessary, other evidence must be enclosed:

• Certificate of enrolment (students),
• BAföG notification (students),
• Declaration of monthly parental allowances during your studies,
• Proof of health insurance,
• Proof of pension or life insurance,
• Appendix to the application for housing benefit in the case of expenses to fulfil statutory maintenance obligations,
• Certificate of severe disability (if applicable, proof of care allowance payments),
• Foreign nationals from third countries must provide proof of their residence status and the duration of their stay.
• Other EU citizens must present a certificate of right of residence/EU residence permit and registration with the registration authorities.

To apply for a rent subsidy, you will also need the completed:

• Landlord certificate form (usually provided by the housing benefit authorities).

You will also need the following forms/evidence to apply for a housing allowance:

• Form for determining the debt service charge
• Proof of the debt service charge (borrowed funds certificate, last proof of payment, interest and amortisation schedule if applicable)
• Proof of the amount of the purchase price or construction costs (also for modernisations)
• Property tax assessment notice/proof of the amount of ground rent
• If applicable, evidence of income from the transfer of premises and space to third parties
• Calculation of living space in accordance with DIN 277 or the Living Space Ordinance (WoFlV, building application)
• Notification of the building subsidy, if applicable
• Proof of ownership, extract from the land register, purchase contract

• § Section 26 of the First Book of the German Social Code (SGB I)
• § Section 1 Housing Benefit Act (WoGG)
• § Section 22 (1) of the Housing Benefit Act (WoGG)
• Housing Benefit Ordinance (WoGV)
• Housing benefit administrative regulation (WoGVwV)

• Contradiction

You will find further information on how to lodge an objection in the notification of your application for housing benefit.

Ministry of the Interior, Building and Sport

• Application: Encumbrance allowance for an owner-occupied home (pdf)
• Application: Rent subsidy for a rented flat (pdf)