Housing benefit
Housing benefit is a social benefit that can be granted as a subsidy to the accommodation costs and does not have to be paid back.
Who is entitled to housing benefit?
Basically, you are only entitled to housing benefit if
1. you are not entitled to any benefits under the BAföG.
This is the case, for example, if:
- a scholarship is paid instead by a scholarship organisation for the gifted (§2 BAföG)
- the maximum period of support has been exceeded
- a change of subject was made without good cause or too late (§7, paragraph 3 BAföG)
- the requirements for the funding of further education (second degree) have not been met
- the certificate of achievement has not been submitted (§48 BAföG)
- the age limit has been exceeded (§10 Para. 3 BAföG)
2. you are taking out a BAföG bank loan to enable you to complete your studies.
3. you live in a housing allowance household with persons who are not pursuing a BAföG/BAB-eligible education (e.g. child).
More detailed information
Since housing allowance is only a rent subsidy and not intended for subsistence, you should have an income as a single person approximately at least at the basic security level/ALG 2 (2022: single person 449€ + warm rent + health insurance) (plausibility check).
The housing allowance can be rejected on the grounds of implausibility, and in individual cases it may be necessary to prove that the available income is sufficient.
For the purpose of plausibility, income also includes maintenance payments from parents, student loans or withdrawals from own assets.
The amount of the housing allowance depends on
- the number of household members to be considered
- the rent level of the place of residence
- the monthly rent (without heating, hot water and electricity) and
- the income of the household to be taken into account
An application for housing allowance can be worthwhile!
Housing allowance is applied for at the housing allowance office of the city/municipality. You will need to submit the appropriate forms with evidence (income, rental contract, bank statements, BAföG rejection notice, etc.).
You are only entitled to housing allowance from the month of application. To meet the deadline, you can also submit an informal application first.
What are the special features?
There are higher allowances for people with disabilities and single parents. Because of the complexity, students with children in particular should seek detailed advice from us.
