Definition at a glance
The Housing Benefit Act (WoGG) is the central legal regulation in Germany that governs the entitlement, calculation, and procedure for granting housing benefit. It serves to economically secure appropriate housing.
What is the WoGG?
The WoGG forms the foundation for granting rent and load allowances. It determines under which conditions citizens have a right to financial support. The law ensures that the social benefit is granted nationwide according to clear criteria.
Purpose of the Law
According to Section 1 WoGG, the purpose of the law is to make housing costs affordable for low-income households. This is to be achieved through a subsidy for rent or burden to economically secure family-friendly housing.
Important Core Areas
The law is divided into several sections that regulate topics such as:
- Purpose of the Act (§ 1): Securing appropriate housing.
- Eligibility to apply (§ 3): Who may apply for housing benefit?
- Household members (§ 5): Who counts as part of the household?
- Rent and burden (§§ 11-12): Which costs are eligible?
- Income (§§ 14-18): How is income calculated?
The Housing Benefit Plus Act
In 2022, the 'Act to Increase Housing Benefit' (Housing Benefit Plus Act) was passed, marking the largest reform of the WoGG to date. Since January 2023, significantly more generous regulations have been in place, from which the citizens in Duisburg also benefit massively.
Legal Classification
The Housing Benefit Act is a special part of social law. It is supplemented by the Housing Benefit Ordinance (WoGV) and the General Administrative Regulations for the Housing Benefit Act (WoGVV).