Housing benefit 2025: Income limits increase - who benefits now?

Housing benefit 2025: Income limits increase - who benefits now?

From January 1, 2025, housing benefit in Germany will be increased by an average of 15 percent in order to counteract the increasing living costs. This measure particularly affects single families, pensioners and families with children who will benefit from the new, higher income limits. The Office for Social Affairs and Living in Bonn recommends checking your own claims for housing benefit, since more households are now entitled to support.

An automatic recalculation of the housing benefit for existing receivables will be made at the beginning of 2025. These households will receive a new housing benefit notice from the responsible authorities. The housing benefit will also be paid out in early January 2025.

increased income limits and application procedures

With the adjustment of the income limits, it becomes possible that more people can apply for housing benefit. The housing benefit is bound to certain income limits, which differ depending on the number of household members and the rent level of the respective city or community. In order to actually be entitled to claim, applicants must prove a minimum of income within the scope of their financial possibilities. This minimum limit results from the standard rate, any additional conditions and the warm rent.

The civil allowance for single people is currently 563 euros per month. In order to receive housing benefit, applicants must reach at least 80 percent of the respective minimum income. The amount of the housing benefit therefore takes into account the number of household members and rental costs. For special groups, such as people in need of care or people with a degree of disability (GdB) of 100 percent, the income limits can also increase by up to 150 euros.

application and advisory services

The applicants can submit their application online via the "Service Portal Online" after they have made a calculation of their possible claim to the country's residential calculator. Application forms are available from both information from the town house and in the district administrative offices. The office is available for telephone information on 0228 - 77 2919 during the general opening hours. Due to the increased number of applications, however, an average processing time of up to six months can be expected.

It is important to note that recipients of citizenship, basic security, social assistance or BAföG are not entitled to housing benefit. All the more, contact with clerks is recommended, especially for people who exceed income limits or their services are not automatically approved.