Apply for housing benefit

• Your total income does not exceed a certain limit.
  The calculation of income is based on the Income Tax Act, i.e. your individual taxable positive income is decisive, supplemented by a catalogue of tax-free income to be taken into account.
• You bear the costs of the accommodation yourself. If they are paid by a third party, you cannot receive housing benefit.

Recipients of the following transfer benefits do not receive housing benefit:

• Citizen's allowance (formerly Unemployment benefit II and social benefit)
• Transitional allowance and injury benefit in the amount of the citizen's allowance, including advances and instalments on transitional or injury benefit
• Allowances for uncovered accommodation costs for trainees and students
• Basic income support in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity
• Assistance with living expenses
• Supplementary assistance with living expenses or other assistance in an inpatient facility that covers living expenses in accordance with the Federal Pension Act or a law that declares it applicable
• Benefits in special cases and basic benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
• Child and youth welfare, if only recipients of these benefits live in the household

Exceptions:

• You receive the transfer benefit exclusively as a loan or the transfer benefit has been refused, withdrawn or denied.
• You switch from receiving a transfer benefit to housing benefit.
  
• Persons who live with you in a community of need and have therefore been taken into account in the calculation of the transfer benefit.