Housing benefit / Wohngeld

The state pays housing benefit to people whose income is insufficient to cover the cost of appropriate housing. It is irrelevant whether the home is in a modern or an older building, publicly or privately owned. Housing benefit is a state subsidy and does not have to be paid back.

Students are only entitled to claim housing benefit in exceptional cases, i.e. if one of the people in the community of dependence is not entitled to BAföG payments, for example,

• if the maximum period of the BAföG grant has been exceeded;
• if the student is no longer entitled to a BAföG grant (e.g. because of a change of discipline);
• if the required evidence of achievement in accordance with BAföG rules has not been provided;
• if students have children.

Information sheet for students

Students with a student residence permit who apply for housing benefit risk negative consequences if they want an extension of their residence permit.