Overview
- The Bundeskabinett has approved a re‑regulation of the Wohngeld law that suspends the planned 2027 increase, halves the heating component and alters the calculation method, with the changes due to take effect in January 2027.
- Household entitlement still rests mainly on three factors: number of household members, total household income, and eligible rent or financial burden; roughly 1.2 million households currently receive Wohngeld.
- The rule change targets the heating and climate add‑ons introduced in 2023, so many recipients could see sharply lower monthly supplements or lose eligibility once the new formula is applied.
- Claim assessments continue to treat income replacement payments such as Krankengeld as countable income, apply asset guidance (about €60,000 for the first person and €30,000 per additional person), and limit uncounted private support to €480 per year in many cases.
- Recipients must file renewal (Weiterleistungsantrag) with local Wohngeldbehörden, report income changes promptly, and beware that false or negligent declarations can trigger repayment demands or fines of up to €2,000 under §37 WoGG.