Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Wohngeld is a state rent subsidy for low-income households. Tenants (Mietzuschuss) and owners of owner-occupied residential property (Lastenzuschuss) are eligible if their income does not exceed a certain limit. The exact requirements depend on your income, household size and rent.

You can submit the application online via our application service, collect the form from the Wohngeld Office Duisburg or download it from the City of Duisburg website. Submit the completed application with all documents to the Wohngeld Office. The application service is the easiest way.

The Wohngeld amount is individual and depends on income, rent and household size. In Duisburg (Mietstufe IV) the average Wohngeld is between 200 and 300 euros per month. You can get an initial estimate using our Wohngeld calculator.

The Mietstufe reflects the local rent level. Germany is divided into seven tiers (I = low to VII = high). Duisburg is assigned to Mietstufe IV. The Mietstufe affects the maximum amounts up to which your rent is taken into account for Wohngeld.

Generally not if you are in principle eligible for BAföG. Exceptions exist for students with children or if you cannot receive BAföG for specific reasons.

Yes, if your pension and other income are below the income limit. Wohngeld is an important form of financial support, especially for pensioners with a low pension.

In principle, Wohngeld and Bürgergeld are mutually exclusive. In certain cases, however, supplementary Wohngeld may be paid alongside Bürgergeld if your income exceeds the requirement.

The most important documents are: identity card, tenancy agreement or rent certificate, proof of income for the last 12 months, bank statements and, if applicable, proof of any additional income. A complete list can be found on our required documents page.

With complete documents, your application will generally be processed within a few weeks. Incomplete applications can significantly delay processing.

Wohngeld is paid from the month of application. Retroactive payment for periods before the application is not possible. You should therefore submit your application as early as possible.

Yes! You must inform the Wohngeld Office immediately of any changes to your income, household size or rent. Unreported changes may lead to reclaims.

An adjustment of Wohngeld to income and rent trends is planned for 2026. The exact amount has not yet been determined. Find out about current developments on our Wohngeld reform page.

You do not need to print a PDF application: you can submit the Wohngeld application directly online through our application service – fully digital and paperless. The official form is also available at the Wohngeldstelle Duisburg.

There is no general answer, because the two benefits are calculated differently. Wohngeld is paid in addition to your own income and covers your housing costs. Bürgergeld, on the other hand, secures your entire subsistence level. As a rule, Wohngeld pays off for households whose income is just above the Bürgergeld threshold: they keep their income and additionally receive a rent subsidy. Use the Wohngeld calculator to check whether Wohngeld would be higher in your case.

Wohngeld is only granted for a limited period, usually twelve months. Before it expires, the Wohngeldstelle will ask you to submit a renewal application. Submit it together with your current proof of income. You can also submit your renewal application conveniently online via our application service.

No minimum income is required by law. What matters is that your income is below the income limit that applies to your household. However, anyone who cannot cover their cost of living from their own income is primarily entitled to Bürgergeld instead of Wohngeld. Use the Wohngeld calculator to check whether you can receive Wohngeld with your income.