Housing benefit plus.

At the beginning of 2023, approximately two million lower-income households will be eligible for the new "Housing Benefit Plus". This article summarizes who is eligible and what you need to consider when applying.

The new reform aims to almost double housing benefit on average. Furthermore, new assessment criteria will determine who is eligible for housing benefit. The number of eligible households will rise from 600.000 to two million nationwide.

The housing benefit reform is aimed at low-income households. This generally includes families, single parents, and senior citizens whose income is just above the basic social security threshold. Since this threshold is always calculated individually based on personal circumstances, a fixed amount cannot be specified. However, as a rule of thumb, anyone earning less than €1,000 per month should check their eligibility for housing benefit. Depending on individual circumstances, checking eligibility is also advisable for those with higher incomes. The housing benefit calculator provided by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) offers an initial guideline.

To address the energy crisis and rising heating costs, the federal government is now providing an additional heating cost allowance. This allowance amounts to €2 per square meter . The heating cost allowance will be added to the housing benefit calculation.

Since the housing benefit reform affects over two million households, a correspondingly high administrative workload is to be expected, which could significantly delay the start of payments. It is therefore advisable to check your eligibility for Housing Benefit Plus as soon as possible and initiate the application process.

Would you also like to apply for housing benefit plus? Then contact the housing benefit office of the city of VS directly.