Wohngeld — Who Counts as a Household Member?

The question of who counts as a household member for Wohngeld purposes is crucial for the amount of Wohngeld. The income limits and maximum rent amounts depend on the number of household members to be considered. The more people in the household, the higher the values.

The Wohngeld Household Community

For Wohngeld, it is not important who is named on the tenancy agreement or who lives in the same building. What matters is the so-called 'household community'. A household community exists when people live together and manage their finances jointly.

Always counted as household members:

• The applicant themselves
• Spouse or registered civil partner — even if temporarily separated but not yet divorced
• Minor children living in the household (biological children, adopted children, foster children)
• Adult children under 25 who are in education and whose income does not exceed certain limits
• Unmarried cohabiting partners if they live together permanently and support each other (marriage-like partnership)

Not counted as household members:

• Subtenants who occupy their own room and manage their finances independently
• Adult children with their own income who are no longer in education
• Unrelated flatmates in a shared flat who manage their finances separately
• Children no longer living in the household (e.g. after moving out or with separated parents)

Special Case: Shared Accommodation (WGs)

In a shared flat (WG), it depends on the individual case. If each resident has their own room and each cooks and shops for themselves — i.e. manages their finances separately — each person can submit their own Wohngeld application for their share. The rent is then calculated proportionally. However, if the WG members manage their finances jointly (shared budget, shared shopping), they are considered a household community.

Special Case: Separated Parents

If parents live separately and the children predominantly live with one parent, the children only count towards that parent's household. The other parent cannot claim the children in their Wohngeld application, even if they pay maintenance. The maintenance payments are instead taken into account in the caring parent's income.

Special Case: Dependent Relatives in Need of Care

Dependent relatives in need of care who live in the household generally count as household members. If they receive care allowance under SGB XI, this is partially taken into account in the income calculation.

Impact on Wohngeld

Each additional household member increases both the income limit and the maximum rent amount. However, the income of all household members is also added together. Therefore, in some cases an additional household member with their own income can reduce or completely eliminate the Wohngeld entitlement.