Overview
- About 1.2 million households receive Wohngeld, with 44% of recipient households being families and 52% including pensioners, according to the housing ministry.
- Awards are set individually under §19 WoGG based on household size, income and eligible rent, which is limited by the local Mietstufe rather than apartment size.
- For one-person households, 2025 Miethöchstbeträge range from €361 in Mietstufe I to €677 in Mietstufe VII, and these caps guide how much rent can be counted.
- Heating and hot-water bills are not reimbursed from invoices; since the 2023 reform a flat allowance and a climate component are added, exemplified in 2025 by €110.40 heating plus €19.20 climate for one person.
- Illustrative 2025 calculations suggest a single retiree with roughly €1,000 monthly pension may receive about €200–€420 depending on rent and Mietstufe, with the exact amount set by the local Wohngeld office and benefits typically approved for one year.