Overview
- Indexation follows a two‑year cycle, so there is no further increase in 2026 after the average 15 percent (about 30 euros) boost on January 1, 2025, with the next recalculation due in January 2027.
- Eligibility is determined by three factors—household members, total income and eligible rent or owner burdens—using regional rent caps; there is no legal size limit for the dwelling, and heating and a climate component are included in the formula.
- Income rules exclude certain payments from calculation such as child benefit, child supplement, education package benefits and care allowances, while basic parental allowance is only partly counted above its minimum and a minimum subsistence income must be shown.
- Concurrent receipt is generally barred with benefits that already cover housing costs (Bürgergeld/SGB II, SGB XII, most BAföG), but allowed with child benefits, ALG I, parental allowance and pensions, with a Grundrente disregard helping many retirees qualify.
- A reported 1,800‑euro allowance per eligible person can reduce countable income in cases of severe disability or care needs, significant assets can block claims at roughly 60,000 euros plus 30,000 euros per additional household member, and approvals typically run for 12 months before renewal.