The planned housing benefit increase (+15%) is intended to help tenants with low incomes. But they are not the only ones.
Homeowners who are paying off their mortgage also benefit. They can also apply for housing benefit, known as a “burden subsidy”. This is intended to cover expenses such as loan interest, repayments and maintenance costs.
► So the state pays off the house – can anyone apply for this help?
No! The prerequisite is need. This means: low income (less than 1,959 euros gross), no state support (e.g. citizen’s allowance), less than 60,000 euros in assets. And: the owners must prove that the costs of the property are beyond their means.
▶︎ Who decides whether credit support is available?
The housing benefit authority (usually in the citizens’ or district administration office).
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► Who is currently receiving credit support?
This applies primarily to pensioners and low-income owners who have suffered a stroke of fate (e.g. illness, death of a partner), according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Construction. Payments are made if, for example, the people have a long-term loan but can no longer pay it off due to the stroke of fate. “Housing benefit prevents these households from losing their housing,” said the spokesman.
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▶︎ Is there abuse?
Unclear! There may be isolated cases, “but we are not aware of any such cases in practice,” says Jakob Grimm (29) from the property owners’ association Haus&Grund.
However, the hurdles for abuse are quite high, Grimm asserts: “It is almost impossible to misuse the burden subsidy. The examination of the clerks in the welfare authorities is strict.”
► How can abuse be prevented?
Anyone who wants to apply for credit support must disclose pay slips or pension certificates, loan agreements, etc. to the office. If the conditions are met, the subsidy will be approved for twelve months.
