Wohngeld: Latest Guidance Clarifies Compatible Benefits, Income Exemptions and Reported Disability Allowance

Overview

• Official guidance reiterates that Wohngeld is generally not paid alongside benefits that already cover housing costs, including Bürgergeld (SGB II), Sozialhilfe (SGB XII), Asylbewerberleistungen and most BAföG cases.
• Households may combine Wohngeld with Kinderzuschlag, Kindergeld, Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket, Elterngeld, Arbeitslosengeld I and old‑age pensions, though applications go to different agencies and payments follow separate schedules.
• For the Wohngeld calculation, Kindergeld, Kinderzuschlag and Bildungs- und Teilhabeleistungen are not counted as income, Elterngeld is only partially counted above the minimum, and common exemptions include Pflegegeld and the tax‑free allowances for certain volunteering.
• A disability advocacy group reports a €1,800 allowance per eligible household member with severe disability or with care needs that can reduce countable income for Wohngeld, with details to be verified by the local Wohngeldstelle.
• A court in Mainz denied Wohngeld to a 50‑year‑old long‑term student for not studying seriously and purposefully, underscoring limits on student eligibility.