Applying for an increase in housing benefit

To your local housing benefit authority

• The total income of all household members has decreased by more than 15 percent or
• the number of household members has increased or
• Your rent or your housing costs excluding heating costs have increased by more than 15 percent.

Online: please enter your postcode and place of residence.

• Proof of the change in rent or charges
• Proof of the changed total income of all household members
• Proof of the change in the household members to be taken into account

There are no costs.

• You send your application in writing or online to the housing benefit office responsible for you.
• The authority will check your application and send you a decision.
• If approved, the housing benefit is usually granted for twelve months.

If the decision is positive, payment is made from the 1st of the month in which the application for an increase was submitted.

You are obliged to provide all information truthfully. The housing benefit authority is entitled to check your details by comparing your data. The verification of your details is permitted up to 10 years after receipt of the housing benefit notice.

• Housing benefit - Information from the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB)

• § Section 27 (1) of the Housing Benefit Act (WoGG)

Complaint

You will find further information on how to lodge a complaint in the notification of your application for housing benefit.