Wohngeld Exclusions — Who Cannot Get Wohngeld?
When you cannot receive Wohngeld: Bürgergeld, basic income support, BAföG and other exclusion reasons. With comparison of Wohngeld vs. other benefits.
Start Your Wohngeld Application →Who Cannot Get Wohngeld?
Not every tenant with a low income automatically qualifies for Wohngeld. Certain groups are excluded from Wohngeld — usually because they already receive other government benefits that cover housing costs. Here you can find out when you cannot get Wohngeld.
Recipients of Bürgergeld
Anyone receiving Bürgergeld (formerly Hartz IV / Unemployment Benefit II) is not eligible for Wohngeld. With Bürgergeld, the costs of accommodation and heating are already included in the benefit. Wohngeld and Bürgergeld are mutually exclusive.
Recipients of Basic Income Support in Old Age or Due to Reduced Earning Capacity
Anyone receiving basic income support in old age (from the standard retirement age) or basic income support due to full reduced earning capacity is excluded from Wohngeld. Here too, housing costs are already included in the basic income support.
Recipients of BAföG (Generally)
Students receiving BAföG are generally not eligible for Wohngeld, as BAföG includes a housing cost allowance. Exceptions exist for students who do not receive BAföG for certain reasons (e.g. exceeding the maximum funding period), with their own household and without BAföG funding, or if they live in a household with a non-student.
Residents of Care Facilities
Persons living in a nursing home, retirement home or similar facility are not eligible for Wohngeld. The same applies to persons in correctional facilities.
Income or Assets Too High
If your income exceeds the income limits, you are not eligible for Wohngeld. Significant assets can also lead to exclusion — although assets are treated much more generously for Wohngeld than for Bürgergeld. Owner-occupied property or adequate retirement provision generally does not lead to exclusion.
Wohngeld vs. Bürgergeld — The Key Differences
Many people wonder whether to apply for Wohngeld or Bürgergeld. The short answer: Wohngeld and Bürgergeld are mutually exclusive — you can only receive one or the other. But which one is right for you? Here's the comparison:
| Kriterium | Wohngeld | Bürgergeld |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Subsidy for housing costs | Securing the entire livelihood |
| Amount | Variable, depending on income, rent and household size (avg. €370) | Standard rate (€563 for singles 2026) + rent + heating |
| Assets | Generous — homeownership and retirement provision not affected | Strict — protected assets €15,000 per person (plus €10,000 for each additional) |
| Application | At the city's Wohngeld office | At the Jobcenter |
| Duration | 12 months, then new application | 6-12 months, then renewal |
| Can Be Combined With | Child benefit, parental allowance, pension, own income | Child benefit (credited), additional earnings (allowances) |
Rule of Thumb
If your income plus Wohngeld is higher than what you would get with Bürgergeld, Wohngeld is the better choice. Wohngeld also has the advantage that assets and savings are checked much less strictly. If in doubt, seek advice at the Wohngeld office or a social counseling service.