Social housing eligibility certificate

You can apply for a WBS in the city or municipality where you are looking for subsidized housing, live permanently, or intend to live. You can also obtain the necessary forms there.  Which agency is responsible for your case depends on the regulations of the respective state. You can find your responsible agencyon the application page. You can often find the application form on your city or municipality’s website as well. The application can be submitted in writing or electronically.

Whether you qualify for a WBS depends on the combined gross annual income of all the people who will be living in the apartment.

Important: The federal states have set different income limits. Therefore, it is important that you check with your local authority to find out the income limit that applies to you when applying for a WBS.

WBS for Income Groups A and B – What’s the Difference?

In addition to the WBS with fixed income limits, some federal states also offer a WBS that allows these income limits to be exceeded. There is also a set upper income limit for exceeding these thresholds. A distinction is made between two different income groups: Group A and Group B.

• WBS for Income Group A – This WBS is based on fixed income limits.
• WBS for Income Group B – If your income exceeds the limit that applies in your place of residence for the issuance of a WBS for Income Group A, you may be eligible for a WBS for Income Group B in your municipality.

The WBS for Income Group B is issued only for certain subsidized apartments. You can inquire about these with the landlords of the subsidized apartments. With the WBS for income group B, the base rent is still significantly below free-market rates, but slightly above the threshold for the WBS for income group A.

The calculation is generally based on the gross annual income of all persons living in the household for the previous calendar year.

This includes, among other things:

• Salary
• Unemployment benefit
• Alimony or advance alimony payments
• Retirement or pension
• Income from a mini-job

The following are not taken into account:

• Child benefit
• Housing benefit
• Health insurance benefits
• Long-term care insurance benefits
• Statutory accident insurance benefits

If applicable, any sick pay received must also be reported to document periods without income. 

The WBS is based not only on income but also on household size. The more people who wish to live in a subsidized apartment and the more rooms are needed, the larger the apartment can be.

• Your WBS is generally valid for one year from the date it was issued. If you rent a subsidized apartment during this time, your eligibility remains valid for as long as the lease is in effect.
• If you are unable to find a subsidized apartment within one year, you can apply for a new WBS. The old WBS will expire and can no longer be used to rent a subsidized apartment.
• Your WBS can be used to move into an apartment within its validity period. If you wish to move into a subsidized apartment again, you must apply for a new WBS.

• A WBS is valid only in the federal state in which it is issued.
• A so-called “targeted housing eligibility certificate” is valid only for a specific subsidized apartment.  
• Some subsidized apartments are reserved for students, people aged 60 or older, people with disabilities, or households with many children (at least three children). If you can prove that this applies to you and have included the appropriate documentation with your application, it will also be noted on the WBS.

Yes, that is possible. The WBS and Housing benefit are two separate benefits. If you are already receiving Housing benefit, it is very likely that your income is low enough to make you eligible for a WBS. Learn more about Housing benefit here .

If your household income increases, you do not have to move out. Some federal states have regulations regarding a possible compensation payment.

No. It is up to you to find a suitable apartment and apply to rent it. The landlord decides whether to sign a lease with you.

You can find subsidized apartments that require a WBS on municipal and regional portals or in the classifieds sections of local newspapers. They usually include the note “WBS required” or simply “WBS.” Some municipalities also offer assistance with finding such housing or directly arrange WBS apartments themselves. Please check with your local authority for more information.