Overview
- For 2026, Wohngeld is determined by household size, Wohngeld‑relevant income and eligible rent with flat energy elements added, including a heating relief for one person of €110.40 and a climate component of €19.20, while rent caps follow local Mietenstufen rather than square meters.
- Miethöchstbeträge for a one‑person household in 2025 range from €361 in Mietenstufe I to €677 in Mietenstufe VII before the energy components, which together can lift the recognized housing amount close to the warm rent in many cases.
- Wohngeld cannot be combined with Bürgergeld or SGB XII benefits that already cover housing costs, but it can be claimed alongside Kinderzuschlag and Kindergeld, with separate applications and separate disbursements by the Wohngeldstelle and the Familienkasse.
- Income treatment is specific: Kindergeld, Kinderzuschlag and Pflegegeld are not counted, Elterngeld counts only above the minimum, and allowances include €1,800 per year for severely disabled or care‑dependent household members as well as a Grundrenten‑related Freibetrag after long insurance histories.
- Administrative safeguards apply: payments are made monthly in advance and usually to tenants, may go directly to landlords with consent or exceptionally under §26 WoGG when misuse or arrears are likely, overpayments can be reclaimed if details were wrong or unreported, awards are typically set for one year and require renewal.