Wohngeld, Kinderzuschlag, and the education package in Berlin
The German version of this page has been changed, this translation has not. Please rely on the German page.
You earn your own money, but it is not quite enough? Then there are two forms of help that are not Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld):
- Wohngeld: a subsidy toward rent. You apply at the Wohnungsamt (housing office) or Bürgeramt (citizens' office) of your district, or online.
- Kinderzuschlag: money for families with children and low income. You apply at the Familienkasse (family benefits office).
Important: Wohngeld and Grundsicherungsgeld are normally not available together. Which help is better depends on your situation.
Anyone receiving Wohngeld or Kinderzuschlag can also get the education package (Bildungspaket) for their children, for example money for school supplies and school trips. This requires a separate application. You can also use the discounted Berlin-Ticket S for bus and train.
Both forms of help apply only from the month in which you submit the application. So apply early. With some visas (for example the Chancenkarte or a visa for job-seeking), Wohngeld is generally not available.
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- Clarify: Wohngeld or Grundsicherungsgeld? Conversely: if Wohngeld (possibly combined with Kinderzuschlag) removes your need for further assistance, Wohngeld takes priority. If in doubt, get advice.
- Apply for WohngeldOnline via Service Portal Berlin, or in writing with a signature at your district's Bürgeramt/Wohnungsamt, or by post. The Bürgerämter only accept applications — they do not advise or check documents. Fees: none.
- Documents for Wohngeld
- Apply for Kinderzuschlag at the FamilienkasseOnline or in writing at the Familienkasse of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). One requirement, among others, is that you receive Kindergeld (child benefit) for the child (see the page on Kindergeld). The Familienkasse's KiZ-Lotse (KiZ guide) helps with a preliminary check.
- Apply for the education package (BuT)Anyone receiving Wohngeld or Kinderzuschlag must apply separately for BuT (online or by post). You receive the berlinpass-BuT as proof for school, Kita, or meal providers.
- Renew in good timeWohngeld is generally granted for 12 months, Kinderzuschlag for 6 months. Submit a new application (Weiterleistungsantrag, continuation application) after each period ends.
- Visas and titles without Wohngeld: per § 3 Abs. 5 WoGG, holders of residence titles for seeking a training place, seeking work, the Chancenkarte, study-related internships, or the European Voluntary Service are generally not entitled to Wohngeld.
- Residence right: many residence titles generally require a secured livelihood. Whether Wohngeld or Kinderzuschlag count against this was not clarified in the available sources — no confirmed information is available for this. Get advice before applying (see the “Erwerbsmigration” strand).
- Specific Wohngeld amounts, income thresholds, and the rent level (Mietenstufe) applicable to Berlin are not quantified on the Berlin pages. The amount depends on household size, eligible rent, and total income — no confirmed information with figures for 2026 is available for this.
- The simplified proof rule for the Berlin-Ticket S (benefits decision notice plus ID is sufficient, name entered on the ticket) is, per Service Portal, “limited until 1 October 2026.” What applies afterward was not documented as of 25 September 2026.
- The Berlin Wohngeld page still names “Bürgergeld/Arbeitslosengeld II” as a ground for exclusion; § 7 Abs. 1 WoGG now uses the term “Grundsicherungsgeld.” The same benefit under SGB II is meant.
In depth · Legal basis, figures and practice – for counsellors and professionals
Wohngeld (federal law, implemented by Berlin's districts)
Per Service Portal Berlin, Wohngeld is a subsidy toward housing costs, financed “half by the federal government and half by the State of Berlin,” paid as a rent subsidy (Mietzuschuss) to tenants of self-occupied housing (a burden subsidy, Lastenzuschuss, applies separately for owners). The amount depends on household size, eligible rent, and total income. Requirements in Berlin: main residence in Berlin, a rental relationship with self-occupancy, and no receipt of transfer benefits that already cover housing costs. Fees: none. Benefits are generally granted for 12 months; Wohngeld is paid from the month in which the application reaches the responsible authority. Legal bases per Service Portal: WoGG (including § 22), WoGV, WoGVwV.
Exclusion for transfer-benefit recipients – § 7 WoGG
Excluded from Wohngeld are, among others, recipients of Grundsicherungsgeld under SGB II, Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung, and Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt under SGB XII, and benefits under SGB VIII within households (§ 7 Abs. 1 Satz 1 WoGG). The exclusion does not apply “if Wohngeld can avoid or remove need within the meaning of § 9 of the Second Book of the Social Code” (§ 7 Abs. 1 Satz 3 Nr. 2 WoGG). Per Service Portal, households whose members receive only BAföG, Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe, or MobiPro-EU benefits are also excluded (exception: loan-based benefits).
Foreign nationals – § 3 Abs. 5 WoGG
Foreign nationals are entitled to Wohngeld if they actually reside in Germany and have, among other things, a residence right under FreizügG/EU, a residence title under the AufenthG, or a residence right under an international agreement. Generally not entitled are holders of titles for seeking a training or work place, the Chancenkarte, study-related internships, or the European Voluntary Service.
Kinderzuschlag – § 6a BKGG
Entitlement exists if the parents receive Kindergeld (or a comparable benefit under § 4 BKGG) for the child, have income of “at least 900 euros, or, if they are a single parent, at least 600 euros,” and do not become newly in need through the Kinderzuschlag itself (§ 6a Abs. 1 BKGG). Per the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (retrieved 25 September 2026), Kinderzuschlag amounts to “at most 297 euros per child per month”; children must be under 25, unmarried, and living in the household. The benefit period is six months and begins with the month of application (§ 6a Abs. 7 BKGG); no retroactive payment is made. Processing takes, per the BA, about six weeks. For foreign nationals, Kinderzuschlag depends on the entitlement to Kindergeld (§ 62 EStG) — see the page “Kindergeld, Elterngeld, and Unterhaltsvorschuss in Berlin”.
Education and Participation Package (BuT) in Berlin
Per Service Portal Berlin, eligible are children and young people up to age 25 (up to 18 for culture/sport) from families receiving Bürgergeld/Grundsicherungsgeld, Sozialhilfe, Wohngeld, or Kinderzuschlag. Benefits per Service Portal: lunch at school and Kita (full cost coverage), personal school supplies allowance of 195 euros a year, school transport where a free pupil ticket does not already apply, school trips and class outings, learning support where needed, social and cultural participation up to 15 euros a month. Recipients of Wohngeld and Kinderzuschlag submit a separate application (online or by post); the berlinpass-BuT serves as proof. Fees: none.
Berlin-Ticket S and further discounts
Anyone receiving Bürgergeld/Grundsicherungsgeld, Sozialhilfe, Wohngeld, or Grundsicherung im Alter/bei Erwerbsminderung (including household members) can use the Berlin-Ticket S. Price: “From 1 January 2026, the original price of 27.50 euros a month applies again.” Since 1 January 2025, a valid benefits decision notice (a copy, redaction allowed) plus official ID has been sufficient as proof; this rule is “limited until 1 October 2026.” Further discounts include for museums, theaters, swimming pools, zoos, libraries, and Volkshochschule (adult education center) courses.
Open points
Wohngeld tables, income thresholds, and Berlin's rent level (Mietenstufe) for 2026; the rule for the Berlin-Ticket S after 1 October 2026; the effect of Wohngeld/Kinderzuschlag on securing livelihood under residence law: no confirmed information is available for this.
- What is “Wohngeld, Kinderzuschlag, and the education package in Berlin” about?
- If you work but money is tight with rent and children, you can apply for Wohngeld (housing benefit) from your district and Kinderzuschlag (child supplement) from the Familienkasse — plus the education package (Bildungspaket) and discounts like the Berlin-Ticket S.
- Which deadlines and figures matter?
- Ab Antragsmonat: Wohngeld is granted from the month in which the application reaches the responsible authority (ServicePortal Berlin, Wohngeld – Mietzuschuss; WoGG)
- vor Ablauf des Kalendermonats, der auf die Kenntnis der Ablehnung folgt: Retroactive Wohngeld application is possible if a benefit under § 7 Absatz 1 WoGG (including Grundsicherungsgeld, Sozialhilfe) was previously refused; Wohngeld then begins in the month of the refusal (§ 25 Absatz 3 WoGG (ServicePortal Berlin nennt vereinfacht „4 Wochen“))
- In der Regel 12 Monate: Wohngeld benefit period, after which a continuation application is needed (ServicePortal Berlin, Wohngeld – Mietzuschuss)
- 6 Monate, Beginn mit dem Antragsmonat: Kinderzuschlag benefit period; no retroactive payment (§ 6a Abs. 7 BKGG; Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
- What should I do first?
- Clarify: Wohngeld or Grundsicherungsgeld?: Conversely: if Wohngeld (possibly combined with Kinderzuschlag) removes your need for further assistance, Wohngeld takes priority. If in doubt, get advice.
- Apply for Wohngeld: Online via Service Portal Berlin, or in writing with a signature at your district's Bürgeramt/Wohnungsamt, or by post. The Bürgerämter only accept applications — they do not advise or check documents. Fees: none.
- Documents for Wohngeld:
- What should I watch out for?
- Visas and titles without Wohngeld: per § 3 Abs. 5 WoGG, holders of residence titles for seeking a training place, seeking work, the Chancenkarte, study-related internships, or the European Voluntary Service are generally not entitled to Wohngeld.
- Residence right: many residence titles generally require a secured livelihood. Whether Wohngeld or Kinderzuschlag count against this was not clarified in the available sources — no confirmed information is available for this. Get advice before applying (see the “Erwerbsmigration” strand).
- Specific Wohngeld amounts, income thresholds, and the rent level (Mietenstufe) applicable to Berlin are not quantified on the Berlin pages. The amount depends on household size, eligible rent, and total income — no confirmed information with figures for 2026 is available for this.
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