City of Offenbach shortens waiting times for processing housing benefit applications with the help of artificial intelligence

Since June 1, 2026, the Offenbach city administration has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the processing of housing benefit applications. An innovative AI assistance system is helping employees at the housing benefit authority to process the significantly increased volume of housing benefit applications more quickly following the Housing Benefit Plus reform. The main aim is to noticeably reduce processing times for citizens. This will be achieved through more efficient administrative processes, which will also reduce the workload for employees.

The use of the new technology is intended to optimize recurring and time-consuming work steps in particular. As a result, applications can be processed faster and feedback to applicants can be provided more quickly. This will help to ensure that housing benefit can be approved and paid out more quickly in future.

The number of housing benefit applications has risen considerably since the Housing Benefit Plus reform. This reform has almost doubled the number of people entitled to benefits. "Rising rents are a problem for many people in Offenbach and increasingly often a significant proportion or even the majority of their income is spent on rent. That is why I continue to support the housing benefit reform, which will help to ensure that more people are entitled to housing benefit," says Mayor Sabine Groß.

The city did not have the money to hire the necessary staff to implement the reform on the administrative side.

"We therefore had to take a different approach than relying on additional staff. At my request, the office staff have therefore freed up capacity to digitize the applications. By using modern AI technology, we are improving the service for citizens and providing important support for our employees," explains Mayor Sabine Groß.

The system is already being used successfully in other municipalities, where it has shown that it can efficiently support the processing of housing benefit applications. The AI serves exclusively as a support tool for the caseworkers.

It is important to note that the AI system does not make any decisions on the eligibility of applicants or the amount of housing benefit. The final review and decision on each application remains at all times with the responsible caseworker at the housing benefit authority.

The housing benefit authority has been relying on digital processes for years. Following the automatic filing of housing benefit notices and the automated dispatch of notices, this digitalization process is being systematically continued with the introduction of an AI assistance system.

"With the introduction of the AI assistance system, we are focusing on a modern and citizen-oriented administration. We are using digital innovations in a targeted manner to meet the increasing demands and improve the service for Offenbach's citizens," concluded the mayor.