Then close the box and use this Website in German.
Communicate significant changes for housing assistance such as number of household members, rent, load, or income.
If you are already receiving housing assistance, you must report certain changes in your personal circumstances.
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Basic information
You notify the housing allowance authority immediately if
- Your total income has increased by more than 15 percent,
- your rent or burden for residential property (excluding heating costs) has decreased by more than 15 percent, or
- the number of household members has decreased.
If your total income is reduced because there are fewer members in your household to consider, this may also be a reason to change your housing allowance.
Requirements
- Your total income must have increased by more than 15%, or
- the number of your household members has decreased or
- Your rent or your home ownership burden (excluding heating costs) has decreased by more than 15%.
For details, please contact your local housing allowance office.
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Procedure
You can communicate changes via the online service or in writing.
Online
- The online service guides you step by step through the application process.
- The authority will check whether your notification affects the amount of your housing benefit and will send you a notification if necessary.
In writing
- You send your notification of change informally by post or e-mail to the housing benefit office responsible for you. You can find the contact details under "Responsible authorities".
- The authority will check whether your notification affects the amount of your housing benefit and will send you a notification if necessary.
More information
Please note the following:
If your financial situation or living circumstances have improved or changed, this may result in a reduction in your housing allowance. You are required to immediately notify the housing allowance authority of any changes that could lead to a reduction in your housing allowance. To prevent or detect the unlawful receipt of housing allowance, the housing allowance authority regularly verifies household members by cross-checking data.
To prevent or detect the unlawful receipt of housing allowance, the housing allowance authority may regularly verify household members by cross-checking data—including through automated means—in particular with the pension insurance data center.
For example, a comparison may be made to determine
- whether basic income support is being paid while housing allowance is being received,
- whether the recipient is engaged in employment subject to social insurance contributions or in marginal employment,
- or the amount of investment income for which an exemption order has been issued.
It is also possible to cross-check with the registration authority regarding registered addresses, housing status, and the timing of address changes. Additionally, the housing allowance authority may request account information from the Federal Central Tax Office. Suspected cases of fraud are generally reported to the public prosecutor’s office.
Through these checks, the housing allowance authority can determine, for example,
- whether housing assistance is being received multiple times,
- whether transfer payments that would lead to disqualification from housing assistance are being received at the same time,
- whether the information provided in the housing allowance application
- regarding income from employment,
- income from one or more pensions,
- and income from capital gains (interest or dividends),
- whether, in the case of initial unemployment, unemployment benefits were discontinued (for example, due to taking a new job), and
- whether the original residence for which housing assistance was provided is still actually being used.
The review may be conducted up to ten years after notification of the relevant housing allowance approval.
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Necessary Documents
- Evidence of modified income
- Evidence of the change in rent or charge
- Evidence of the change in the household members to be taken into account.
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Online Services
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Housing allowance change notice
You can conveniently complete your request online. The application will be sent to the housing subsidy authority responsible for you.
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Fees / Costs
gebührenfrei
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Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
None
How long does it take to process
Your notification will be reviewed without delay. The processing time depends, among other things, on the completeness of your information and the submission of the evidence required for processing the application.
Longer processing times are not at your expense. -
Legal Bases
Frequently asked Questions
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Who is a household member?
Household member is the person entitled to housing allowance.
Household members are also:
- the spouse or partner who is not permanently separated
- the person living in a community of responsibility and responsibility for others
- siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews
- parents-in-law, children-in-law, stepparents
- parents, children, siblings of the life partner
- Sister-in-law, brother-in-law and his children, niece/nephew of the spouse
- Foster children regardless of their age and foster parents
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What income should be taken into account?
Annual income, as defined by the Housing Allowance Act, is the sum of positive income (gross income minus income-related expenses) as defined in Section 2(1) and (2) of the Income Tax Act, plus the income specified in Section 14(2) of the Housing Allowance Act, minus the deductions for taxes and social security contributions for each household member.
To calculate housing allowance, a projected assessment is made—that is, an estimate of expected income. The 12 months preceding the application may serve as the basis for this projected assessment.
All taxable and tax-exempt income must always be reported accurately.
Examples:
- for employees: wages/salary (earnings statement)
- For retirees: All types of pensions (pension notices, pension statements)
- For individuals subject to income tax (unless proof is provided by the earnings statement): all income, to be documented by:
Income tax prepayment notice
Most recent income tax assessment
Most recent income tax return - For recipients of child support: Proof of the payer, the type, amount, and recipient of the payments
- For children: Proof of child benefit
- For unemployed individuals: Approval notice from the employment office regarding unemployment benefits or basic income support
- For apprentices or students: Proof of the type, amount, and recipient of educational assistance (e.g., BAföG, vocational training allowance)
- For recipients of social assistance or war victims’ benefits: Proof of the type, amount, and recipient of the benefits
- Proof of other benefits: (e.g., proof of interest income or other investment income, rental income, benefits from third parties—including those provided on a loan basis, if applicable—in-kind benefits, scholarships)
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What is a "negative certificate"?
If you apply for housing allowance in another municipality or in another federal state, the responsible authority usually requires the submission of a negative certificate. This is then issued on request by the housing allowance office of the former place of residence. This is to check whether and until when housing benefit was paid.
The issuing of the negative certificate is free of charge. A personal appearance to get the certificate is not required. The application is made informally. It is also possible to apply for the negative certificate by telephone. An authorized person is entitled to take out the negative certificate at the housing allowance office on behalf of the applicant. The power of attorney must be presented.
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What do I need to communicate?
Changes to be reported immediately include:
- Number of household members,
- Decrease in rent or burden,
- increase in income, and
- Change in living quarters, including within the home.
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct. 30.07.2026