Housing benefit is a financial subsidy and is intended to provide tenants and owners of owner-occupied flats and single-family homes with adequate and family-friendly housing.
Housing benefit is granted on application, usually for 12 months, if the eligibility requirements are met. A new application must be submitted at the end of the authorisation period.
The housing benefit reform 2023 came into force on 1 January 2023, which means that significantly more people can claim housing benefit.
Rent subsidy can apply for:
- Tenants or subtenants of residential property
- Owners of a cooperative or foundation flat
- Residents of residential homes within the meaning of the Care Homes Act
- Owners who live in their own apartment block
Encumbrance allowance for owner-occupied accommodation:
- Owners of their own home
- Owners of a condominium
- Owners of an agricultural sideline
- Owners of a permanent right of residence similar to ownership - in the case of co-owners, each for the living space they use.
Eligibility requirements
The amount of housing benefit depends on three factors:
- the number of family members who belong to the household
- the amount of the family income
- the amount of reasonable rent or charges to be taken into account
The entitlement to housing benefit is excluded for recipients of the following state benefits:
- Citizen's allowance and social benefit according to SGB II
- Basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity in accordance with SGB XII
- Subsistence assistance (social assistance) in accordance with SGB XII
- Supplementary subsistence benefits in accordance with the Federal Pension Act
- Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
- Child and youth welfare benefits in accordance with SGB VIII if only recipients of these benefits live in the household
- Single trainees during their initial training
- Single persons doing military service
ButThere are some exceptions that may allow you to receive housing benefit in individual cases. If in doubt, please seek detailed advice.
Additional information
Among other things, the housing benefit portal offers you the opportunity to calculate your expected housing benefit entitlement anonymously using the housing benefit calculator. At the end of the housing benefit calculation, you also have the option of submitting the housing benefit application directly online to the town of Olsberg.
Alternatively, you can also use the forms available for download. Paper application forms are available from your Olsberg housing benefit office.
Applying for housing benefit is worthwhile! We would be happy to advise you personally and arrange an appointment with the Olsberg housing benefit office.