Household Members

Who counts as part of the household?

The household includes all persons who live with the applicant in a joint domestic and economic community. These are generally: the applicant themselves, the spouse or registered civil partner, children (including stepchildren and foster children) for whom child benefit is received, and other relatives in a direct line who live in the shared household.

Who does not count as part of the household?

The following are not counted as part of the household: subtenants who do not share a joint economy with the applicant, flatmates without family ties, temporary visitors and separated spouses who do not live in the same household.

Effects on the Wohngeld amount

Each additional household member increases the eligible maximum rent amount and the income limit. However, the income used for the calculation also increases, as the income of all household members is added together.

Special considerations for children

Children for whom child benefit is received count as part of the household regardless of age. This also applies to adult children in education or at university as long as they live in the parental household and child benefit is received. Child benefit itself is not counted as income.

Reporting changes in the household

You must inform the Wohngeld Office immediately of any changes to the household composition. This applies to the birth of a child, family members moving out, separation or divorce. An unreported change may lead to reclaims.

All information provided without guarantee. The statutory provisions of the Wohngeldgesetz (WoGG) are binding.