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Wohngeldstelle (housing benefit office)

Wohngeldbescheid (housing benefit decision): what to check

What this letter means

The Wohngeldbescheid (housing benefit decision) says how much Wohngeld you receive and for which period. It is based on the number of household members, the rent that is taken into account and the total income.

Wohngeld is usually granted for 12 months. If your situation is not expected to change, it can also be granted for up to 24 months (§ 25 Abs. 1 WoGG). After that you need a new application.

If your rent rises by more than 10 percent, your income falls by more than 10 percent or new members join the household, you can apply for a new calculation during the period (§ 27 Abs. 1 WoGG).

What to do now

  1. 1Write down the date of the decision and work out when the deadline ends, for example with the deadline calculator.
  2. 2Check that all household members are included.
  3. 3Compare the rent used in the decision with your tenancy agreement.
  4. 4Check the income counted for all household members.
  5. 5Read the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung to see whether a Widerspruch or a Klage is the right step.
  6. 6Note the end of the approval period in your calendar and submit a Weiterleistungsantrag (application to continue the payments) in good time.
  7. 7Write any reply to the Wohngeldstelle in German. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

How you can reply

File a Widerspruch (objection)

If the rent, income or household size were taken into account wrongly and your Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung provides for a Widerspruch.

Template: Widerspruch gegen einen Bescheid (Jobcenter, Krankenkasse)

Submit an Erhöhungsantrag (application for an increase)

If your rent has risen significantly or your income has fallen significantly (§ 27 Abs. 1 WoGG).

Request Akteneinsicht (access to your file)

If you cannot understand the calculation (§ 25 SGB X).

Template: Akteneinsicht bei einer Behoerde beantragen

Common questions

How long is my Wohngeld decision valid?

Usually 12 months, or up to 24 months if your situation is not expected to change (§ 25 WoGG). The period is stated in the decision.

My rent has gone up. Will I get more Wohngeld?

If the rent rises by more than 10 percent, you can apply for a new calculation (§ 27 Abs. 1 WoGG).

Do I have to file a Widerspruch or go to court?

This depends on the federal state. What counts is the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung at the end of your decision.

Can I write to the Wohngeldstelle in English?

Write in German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 25 WoGG: Bewilligungszeitraum
  2. § 27 WoGG: Änderung des Wohngeldes
  3. § 68 VwGO: Vorverfahren
  4. § 70 VwGO: Form und Frist des Widerspruchs
  5. § 74 VwGO: Klagefrist
  6. § 37 SGB X: Bekanntgabe des Verwaltungsaktes
  7. § 25 SGB X: Akteneinsicht durch Beteiligte
  8. § 68 SGB I: Besondere Teile des Sozialgesetzbuchs

Research as of: 10 November 2026