Wohngeld for Pensioners, Students & Families

Wohngeld for special groups: pensioners, students, families, single parents and apprentices. Who is eligible under what conditions?

Wohngeld for Special Groups

The Wohngeldgesetz contains special regulations for various groups of people. Depending on your life situation – whether pensioner, student, family, or trainee – different conditions apply. Here you can find out which rules apply to your life situation.

👴 Wohngeld for Pensioners

Pensioners are generally entitled to Wohngeld provided they do not receive basic income support in old age (SGB XII). For the income calculation, the statutory pension is counted as income after deduction of health and long-term care insurance contributions. Additionally, an age allowance applies for people aged 65 and over, which reduces the assessable income. Company pensions and private pensions are also taken into account. An important advantage of Wohngeld over basic income support: Wohngeld does not involve an asset check and no obligation to use up savings.

🎓 Wohngeld for Students

Students are generally excluded from Wohngeld if they are in principle entitled to BAföG – even if they do not actually receive BAföG or if the BAföG is insufficient. However, there are exceptions: Students who are not entitled to BAföG for certain reasons (e.g., exceeding the maximum funding period, change of field of study without an important reason, missing proof of academic performance) may be able to apply for Wohngeld under certain circumstances. Students in a career-integrated study program who are also employed may also be eligible. The decisive factor is that the general BAföG entitlement is excluded.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wohngeld for Families and Single Parents

Families with children and single parents benefit particularly from Wohngeld. Every child under 25 living in the household increases the household size and thus the income limit and the maximum amounts. Child benefit (Kindergeld) itself is not counted as income. The child supplement (Kinderzuschlag / KiZ) can also be received in addition to Wohngeld – the two benefits are not mutually exclusive. The same rules apply to single parents as to families: they form a household with their children, and Wohngeld is based on the total number of household members.

🔧 Wohngeld for Trainees

A similar regulation applies to trainees as to students: Anyone who is in principle entitled to vocational training assistance (BAB) is excluded from Wohngeld – even if BAB was not applied for or is insufficient. Trainees who are not entitled to BAB (e.g., because their parents' income exceeds the limit, second training) can apply for Wohngeld. The prerequisite is that they maintain their own household and no longer live with their parents. Trainees living with their parents are not entitled to Wohngeld, as they are counted as part of the parents' household in this case.

♿ Wohngeld for People with Disabilities

People with disabilities may be entitled to Wohngeld under certain circumstances. The decisive factor is that they do not receive integration assistance benefits (SGB IX / SGB XII) that already cover the need for accommodation. The income calculation takes into account an increased allowance for severely disabled persons (degree of disability of at least 80 or degree of disability of at least 50 with certain special marks). This allowance reduces the assessable income and can lead to a higher Wohngeld.

✅ At a Glance: Who Can Apply for Wohngeld?

As a rule of thumb for all groups:

  • ✅ You live in your own rental apartment.
  • ✅ You do not receive transfer benefits (Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe, basic income support).
  • ✅ You are not in principle entitled to BAföG or BAB.
  • ✅ Your assessable income is below the limit applicable to you.

Wohngeld in Your Life Situation Too?

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