High costs for heating, electricity and groceries put many households in Germany under pressure. That is why the housing benefit should now increase and help people with low incomes to pay the rent. The group of beneficiaries is also being expanded. But many of those affected do not even know that they could get help from the state at all. An overview of the most important questions about housing benefit:
Housing benefit – what is it exactly?
It’s like a government subsidy on rent for people on low incomes. Even those who own an apartment or a house and have little money can get support. However, this only applies if you do not receive any other social benefits that already take housing costs into account, i.e. unemployment benefit II, social benefit or student loans. The federal states or municipalities are responsible for applications and payments.
How much is the housing benefit?
That depends on how high the rent and income are and where exactly you live. Construction Minister Klara Geywitz wants to increase the housing benefit significantly in general, by an average of 190 euros per month. The previous housing benefit households would thus receive around 370 euros per month from January instead of an average of 177 euros. The federal cabinet launched Geywitz’s proposal on Wednesday (September 28), and it now has to go through the Bundestag. In order to calculate the amount of housing benefit, it is recommended to use the Housing Benefit Calculator of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building.
Who is entitled to housing benefit?
Whether you are entitled to housing benefit depends on a complicated calculation – there is no easy-to-remember income threshold. This is probably one reason why not all households that are entitled to it have applied for housing benefit. Factors in the calculation are income, rent, household size and place of residence. You can use the ministry’s housing allowance calculator to calculate whether you could get housing allowance online.
So far, 600,000 households in Germany have received housing benefit. The reform is expected to add 1.4 million more households. Geywitz has announced that in the future, those citizens who earn minimum wage or receive a pension of a comparable amount should also receive housing benefit.
How do I apply for housing benefit?
In order to meet any deadlines, an informal application is sufficient to apply for housing benefit. In general, however, special application forms with regional differences are necessary. They often include questions about the applicant’s earnings, sublease agreements, and other financial information. The municipalities are responsible for the housing benefit. This means that the application must be submitted to the corresponding housing benefit office of the municipal, city, office or district administration – in person, by post or online.
What other changes are there?
For all those who are already receiving housing benefit, there should be a further heating cost subsidy in the short term. Everyone who is entitled to housing benefit for at least one month between September and the end of December should benefit. In addition, there are Bafög recipients and trainees with state support. For students and trainees there is a flat rate of 345 euros, for everyone else the subsidy depends on the size of the household: If you live alone, you get 415 euros, for two you get 540 euros – and for each additional roommate another 100 euros.