Wohngeld-Bescheid — your housing benefit decision explained

What is a Wohngeld-Bescheid?

A Wohngeld-Bescheid is the official written decision on your Wohngeld (housing benefit) under the Wohngeldgesetz (WoGG). It is legally binding: it tells you whether benefit is approved or denied, how much you receive each month, and for which period.

This is not a letter from the Jobcenter about Bürgergeld. Wohngeld is a separate benefit for people who earn enough not to receive full social welfare but still struggle with rent or home-ownership costs. If you receive Bürgergeld, housing costs are usually included there — you typically do not get Wohngeld on top.

Who sends it — Wohngeldstelle

Wohngeld is handled by the Wohngeldstelle of your municipality (Stadt) or district (Kreis), not the Jobcenter. The letterhead should name this office and include a case reference (Aktenzeichen).

If you applied online or by post, the Bescheid is usually posted to your registered address. Keep the envelope date — deadlines often run from when the letter was delivered, not when you opened it.

Types of decision you might receive

• Bewilligungsbescheid — approval: states monthly Wohngeld and the Bewilligungszeitraum (approval period)
• Ablehnungsbescheid — denial: explains why you do not qualify (income too high, missing documents, etc.)
• Änderungsbescheid — change: amount increased or reduced because your situation changed
• Aufhebungsbescheid — cancellation: benefit ends from a stated date
• Erstattungs- / Nachforderungsbescheid — you must pay back money that was overpaid

Read the heading and first page carefully — the type determines what you need to do next.

How to read your Wohngeld-Bescheid

Look for these key figures:

• Monatliches Wohngeld — the monthly benefit amount paid to you
• Bewilligungszeitraum — start and end date of the approval (often 12 months, then re-application is needed)
• Miete / Belastung — your rent or housing cost used in the calculation
• Haushaltsmitglieder — household members counted in the application
• Einkommen — income figures the office used (yours and household members')
• Nachzahlung — back-payment owed to you for past months not yet paid
• Nachforderung / Erstattung — amount you must repay because benefit was too high
• Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung — legal notice explaining your right to file Widerspruch

Annex pages show the calculation steps. If the monthly amount surprises you, compare the income and rent figures to what you submitted.

Mietzuschuss vs Lastenzuschuss

Most tenants receive Mietzuschuss (rent subsidy) based on eligible rent (anrechenbare Miete) and household income. Homeowners may receive Lastenzuschuss (burden subsidy) for mortgage interest, property tax, and similar costs. The Bescheid type should match your situation.

A Mieterhöhung (rent increase) or new Nebenkostenabrechnung can change your eligible costs — report these promptly so your Wohngeld can be adjusted.

Nachzahlung vs Nachforderung

• Nachzahlung — the office owes you money for past months (e.g. processing took long). It is usually transferred to your bank account automatically. Check the amount matches your expectation.
• Nachforderung / Erstattung — you received too much Wohngeld (often because income rose or household changed and you did not report it in time). You must repay the stated amount, sometimes in instalments if you ask early.

Ignoring a Nachforderung can lead to enforcement. If you cannot pay at once, contact the Wohngeldstelle immediately and request a payment plan.

Your duty to report changes

You must inform the Wohngeldstelle without delay when anything relevant changes — this is a Mitwirkungspflicht (duty to cooperate). Examples:

• Higher or lower income (new job, unemployment, pension change)
• Someone moves in or out of the household
• Rent increases or decreases
• Moving to a new address
• Receiving other benefits that affect Wohngeld

Late reporting is the main reason for Nachforderungen. Report in writing and keep proof of submission.

Filing a Widerspruch (objection)

The Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung at the end of the Bescheid states that you have one month from receipt to file a Widerspruch (formal objection) under social-law rules (§ 70 SGB X). Send it to the office named on the letter — usually the same Wohngeldstelle.

State clearly that you are filing Widerspruch, cite your Aktenzeichen and the Bescheid date, and explain why (wrong income figure, wrong rent, household count error, etc.). You do not need a lawyer to start, but advice from a Sozialberatung or welfare organisation can help.

While a Widerspruch is pending, benefit may continue at the old rate or be suspended depending on the case — read the letter carefully and ask if unclear.

Wohngeld vs Bürgergeld

Wohngeld tops up housing costs for low-to-moderate earners who are not fully covered by social welfare. Bürgergeld (from the Jobcenter) replaces older Hartz IV and includes living costs plus housing. You generally cannot receive both for the same period — if your income drops sharply, you may need to switch from Wohngeld to Bürgergeld instead.

If you receive a Bürgergeld-Bescheid while on Wohngeld, report it immediately to both offices to avoid overpayments.

What to do — step by step

Step 1: Note the date you received the letter and the decision type (approval, denial, change, repayment).

Step 2: Check Monatliches Wohngeld and Bewilligungszeitraum match what you expected.

Step 3: Look for Nachzahlung (money owed to you) or Nachforderung (money you owe).

Step 4: Calendar the one-month Widerspruch deadline from the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung.

Step 5: If figures look wrong — file Widerspruch in writing before the deadline.

Step 6: Set a reminder to re-apply before the Bewilligungszeitraum ends — Wohngeld is not automatic forever.

When to get help

• Benefit was denied but you believe you qualify.
• Monthly amount is much lower than a previous year without clear explanation.
• You received a Nachforderung you cannot afford — ask about instalments early.
• Income or household changed and you are unsure what to report.
• You receive both Wohngeld and another benefit and fear double payment.

Local Sozialberatung, Caritas, Diakonie, or AWO offices often offer free advice on Wohngeld letters.

Key terms glossary

Still not sure what your letter wants?

Upload your Wohngeld-Bescheid and get:

• ✓ Plain English summary of approval, amount, and period
• ✓ Nachzahlung or Nachforderung highlighted
• ✓ One-month Widerspruch deadline check
• ✓ Draft Widerspruch or reply letter in German

Open Briefed — explain my letter

Last updated: June 2026