Is the Wohngeld application free?
Yes – applying at the housing benefit office costs nothing. What private services like Einfach Wohngeld offer, what they may charge and how to spot a reputable one.
Quick answers
- Does it cost anything to apply for Wohngeld?
- No. The application, the forms and the processing at the housing benefit office (Wohngeldbehörde) are free of charge. Advice from the housing benefit office is free too.
- What do I pay for at Einfach Wohngeld?
- The Wohngeld calculator and all our guides are free. If you wish, you can buy the application package for a single payment of 19,95 €: we fill in your federal state’s official form using your details and create your list of documents and certificates. You sign and submit the application yourself; the housing benefit office decides.
- How can I spot a dubious Wohngeld service?
- Be careful if a provider does not say clearly that applying at the authority is free, poses as a public authority, wants to “submit” your application itself without saying where, asks for a share of your Wohngeld or has no complete legal notice (Impressum).
At the housing benefit office: always free
Public authorities charge no fees for procedures under the German Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch), and Wohngeld is one of them (§ 64 SGB X). You can get the forms free of charge from your housing benefit office and on the websites of the federal states (overview). Many states also offer a free online application. Your housing benefit office will also help you fill in the form.
What we offer – and what we don’t
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Wohngeld calculator with the full calculation | free |
| Guides, housing benefit offices, rent levels, links to forms | free |
| Application package: your federal state’s official form filled in, a list of documents, pre-filled certificates for your landlord and employer | one-off 19,95 € |
We are not a public authority, and we do not represent you in your dealings with the authority. You check the details, sign the application and submit it yourself; the housing benefit office (Wohngeldbehörde) decides. We do not take a share of your Wohngeld; you pay a fixed price. Information on your right of withdrawal is in our cancellation policy. The completed form is in German, because German is the official language for dealings with the authorities.
How to spot a trustworthy service
- The provider says clearly that applying at the authority is free of charge.
- It does not pose as a public authority – no coats of arms, no official-sounding names.
- It says clearly who submits the application, and to which office. A federal authority is never responsible for Wohngeld – it is always your local office.
- The price is fixed in advance. There is no share of your Wohngeld and no subscription.
- Its legal notice (Impressum), privacy policy and cancellation policy are complete.
If in doubt, ask your housing benefit office directly – its help is free.
How much Wohngeld could you get?
Our calculator tells you and shows every step of the calculation – free of charge, no registration needed. Our assistant can then fill in your federal state’s official application form, which stays in German.
Calculate housing benefitPrepare your application
Applying at your housing benefit office (Wohngeldbehörde) is free of charge. The housing benefit office decides.
Related guides
- Wohngeld eligibility: who can get housing benefit?
- Wohngeld: Bearbeitungszeit und rückwirkende Zahlung (in German)
- Find your housing benefit office
General information, not advice on your individual case. Legal basis: § 64 SGB X; § 22 WoGG. Last updated: 8 November 2026.