Overview
- About 1.2 million households currently receive the subsidy, with families and retirees accounting for the largest shares.
- Eligibility commonly includes tenants and owner‑occupiers, low‑income workers, single parents, retirees, students without BAföG, and residents of care homes.
- Entitlement and payment levels hinge on household size, total income, and rent or owner burden, with Wohngeld‑Plus adding flat heating and climate components since 2023.
- The last regular increase took effect on 1 January 2025, averaging roughly a 15 percent rise or about €30 per month.
- Applications are filed with local Wohngeld offices, typically granted for one year with proof of income and housing costs, and are generally not available if other benefits already cover rent.