Definition at a glance
Housing benefit is only granted if there are no 'significant assets'. The limits are usually €60,000 for the first person and €30,000 for each additional household member.
What are 'significant assets'?
According to the Housing Benefit Act, there is no entitlement to housing benefit if the claim would be abusive, particularly because significant assets are available. This serves to concentrate state aid on those who truly need it.
Asset Limits 2026
Case law and administrative regulations establish guide values up to which assets are considered harmless:
- 60,000 euros for the first household member to be considered.
- 30,000 euros for each additional household member to be considered.
What counts as assets?
All realizable assets at the time of application are considered:
- Bank balances, cash and securities (stocks, funds).
- Real estate or land not used by the owner.
- Surrender values of life insurance policies.
- Precious metals and valuable collections.
What does not count as assets?
Certain values remain disregarded during the check (protected assets):
- Appropriate household items and personal belongings.
- One appropriate vehicle per household member.
- Owner-occupied residential property (own home/apartment).
- Retirement provision assets (e.g. Riester pension) if access is excluded.
Legal Basis
The regulation on exclusion due to significant assets can be found in Section 21 No. 3 of the Housing Benefit Act (WoGG).