Housing benefit

You are entitled to housing benefit if you ...

1. ... are not (or no longer) entitled to BAföG.

This is the case, for example, if:

• a scholarship from a scholarship organisation for gifted students is paid instead,
• the maximum funding period has been exceeded,
• a change of specialisation was made without good reason or too late,
• the requirements for funding for further education (second degree programme) are not met,
• the transcript of records has not been submitted or
• the age limit has been exceeded.

If you only do not receive BAföG because your parents' or spouse's income and/or your own income/assets are too high, you are unfortunately not entitled to housing benefit!

2. ... the BAföG full loan, which is intended to enable you to complete your studies.

You can read more about the BAföG regulations in our BAföG FAQ.

3. ... live in a household with persons who are not pursuing a BAföG/BAB-eligible education (e.g. child).

Housing benefit is not intended to secure your livelihood, but is only a rent subsidy. In case of doubt, the housing benefit office will check whether your livelihood is fundamentally secure. You should therefore have an income at about the basic income support level (2024: single person living alone 563 euros + warm rent + health insurance contribution).

Housing benefit can be refused on the grounds of non-credibility and in individual cases it may be necessary to prove that the available income is sufficient.

For the purposes of plausibility, income also includes maintenance payments from parents, student loans or withdrawals from your own assets.

The amount of housing benefit depends on

• the number of household members to be taken into account,
• the total income of the household members
• the monthly rent (excluding heating, hot water and electricity) and
• the rent level of the place of residence.

You are welcome to use a housing benefit calculator.

Housing benefit is applied for at the housing benefit office of the city/municipality. This is now also possible online. You must submit the relevant forms with supporting documents (income, tenancy agreement, bank statements if applicable, BAföG rejection notice, etc.).

You are only entitled to housing benefit from the month of application. To meet the deadline, you can also submit an informal application first.

For people with disabilities and single parents, there are increased allowances on the income to be offset.