Housing benefit increase

If you are currently receiving housing benefit, you can submit a new application for higher housing benefit as a subsidy towards your housing costs if

• your total income has decreased,
• the number of household members to be taken into account has increased or
• your rent or housing costs have increased.

These changes can, but do not necessarily have to, lead to an increase in housing benefit.

You must submit an application for increased housing benefit to your local housing benefit authority. The requirements for this entitlement will be checked.

The increase in housing benefit takes effect from the date of application. A retroactive increase in housing benefit is generally not possible.

Important note: Do you have difficulties filling out forms? The following organizations can help you fill out forms:

Caritas form help at Kaiserstraße 69, Thursday, from 9.30 to 11.30 am. Appointments must be arranged in advance by telephone on 069 800640.
Mathildenviertel district office (Krafftstraße 29): Every Tuesday 10 am to 11 am (Mr. Mark from Diakonie) and every Friday 9 am to 12 pm (Mr. Gottwald from Bürgerhilfe Offenbach);
Lauterborn district office (Richard-Wagner-Straße 95): Every Monday 12.30 to 14.30 (Mr. Mark);
Senefelder Quartier district office (Herrmannstraße 16): Tuesday afternoons (Mr. Mark).

You must enclose the following documents with your application for an increase in housing benefit:

• Proof of income (salary certificate, pension certificate, etc.),
• proof of a rent increase, if applicable,
• Documents on the costs of the residential property you use, if you are its owner,
• Proof of the change that has occurred.

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, processing times are currently longer. Therefore, please refrain from asking questions about the processing status. We ask for your understanding