das  Wohngeld

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvoːnɡɛlt/

💰 What exactly is das Wohngeld?

Das Wohngeld is a state social benefit in Germany. It serves as a financial subsidy towards housing costs for citizens with low incomes who pay rent (in which case it's called Mietzuschuss) or bear the costs for owner-occupied housing (then called Lastenzuschuss).

The goal of Wohngeld is to economically secure adequate and family-friendly housing. It helps make housing costs affordable so that people do not have to move due to excessively high rents or burdens.

⚠️ Important: Wohngeld is not a basic security benefit like Bürgergeld (Citizen's Income). Those already receiving benefits such as Bürgergeld or Grundsicherung im Alter (basic security in old age) are generally not entitled to Wohngeld, as housing costs are already covered by those benefits.

🧐 Grammar & Declension of Wohngeld

The word Wohngeld is a neuter noun (Neutrum). It is used as a collective term and therefore almost exclusively appears in the singular.

A plural form (die Wohngelder) is grammatically possible but very uncommon, as it refers to a state benefit considered as a single entity.

Example Sentences:

1. Familie Müller hat das Wohngeld beantragt.
   (The Müller family has applied for the housing benefit.)
2. Die Höhe des Wohngeldes hängt vom Einkommen ab.
   (The amount of the housing benefit depends on the income.)
3. Mit dem Wohngeld können sie die Miete bezahlen.
   (With the housing benefit, they can pay the rent.)
4. Wer hat Anspruch auf das Wohngeld?
   (Who is entitled to the housing benefit?)

🗣️ How Wohngeld is used in daily life

Wohngeld is mainly used in the context of social benefits, finances, and administration.

• Typical Phrases:
  • Wohngeld beantragen: To apply for housing benefit (officially).
  • Anspruch auf Wohngeld haben/prüfen: To be entitled to / check entitlement for housing benefit.
  • Wohngeld erhalten/beziehen: To receive housing benefit.
  • Die Berechnung des Wohngeldes: The calculation of the housing benefit amount.
  • Wohngeldstelle: The responsible housing benefit office/authority.
• Context: People talk about Wohngeld when discussing financial support for housing costs, especially for families, pensioners, students (under certain conditions), or low-income earners.
• Differentiation: It's important to distinguish Wohngeld from other benefits like Bürgergeld (formerly Arbeitslosengeld II/Hartz IV) or Sozialhilfe (social assistance). Wohngeld is a subsidy, not a complete coverage of living expenses.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article (das): Think of das Geld (the money). Wohngeld is a type of money, and Geld is neuter. So: das (Wohn-)Geld.

For the meaning: Imagine a house (Wohnen - living/housing) with coins (Geld - money) raining down on it to help pay the rent. So, Wohngeld is money for housing.

↔️ Similar and Contrasting Terms

Risk of Confusion:

• Wohneigentum: Refers to home ownership, not the financial aid for it.
• Bürgergeld/Sozialhilfe: More comprehensive social benefits that also cover housing costs but have different requirements and usually exclude entitlement to Wohngeld.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Beamte den Antragsteller: „Warum beantragen Sie Wohngeld erst jetzt?“ Sagt der Antragsteller: „Naja, auf dem Formular stand unten: ‚Antrag bitte wenden‘ – das hat gedauert!“

English Translation: The official asks the applicant: "Why are you only applying for housing benefit now?" The applicant replies: "Well, at the bottom of the form it said: 'Please turn over application' – that took a while!" (A pun on 'wenden' meaning 'to turn over' and also idiomatically 'to turn [something] in/submit' which doesn't quite work in English, but the joke implies he spent ages literally turning the form over and over).

📜 A Little Poem

German:
Die Miete steigt, das Geld wird knapp,
Die Sorge nagt, Tag für Tag schlapp.
Doch Hilfe naht, vom Amt gesandt,
Das Wohngeld reicht die stützende Hand.
Ein Zuschuss klein, doch wertvoll sehr,
Macht das Zuhause wieder fair.

English Translation:
The rent increases, money gets tight,
Worry gnaws, day by day feels slight.
But help approaches, sent by the state,
Das Wohngeld lends a supportive weight.
A small subsidy, yet valued much,
Makes home affordable again to the touch.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin kein Lohn, doch helfe sehr,
Mach Wohnen leichter, nicht so schwer.
Ich komme vom Staat, wenn’s Einkommen drückt,
Damit das Zuhause weiter beglückt.
Man stellt ’nen Antrag, Formular,
Wer bin ich wohl? Ist doch klar!

English Translation:
I am not wages, but I help a lot,
Make housing easier, easing the spot.
I come from the state when income is low,
So that your home continues to glow.
You file an application, a form you must send,
Who am I? It's clear, my friend!

Solution: Das Wohngeld (The housing benefit)

🧩 Further Details

• Word Composition: The word Wohngeld is a compound noun (Kompositum), formed from the stem of the verb wohnen (to live, reside) and the noun Geld (money).
• Legal Basis: Details regarding Wohngeld are regulated in the German Housing Benefit Act (Wohngeldgesetz - WoGG).
• Wohngeld Reforms: The amount and eligibility requirements for Wohngeld are regularly adjusted through reforms, most recently comprehensively with the "Wohngeld Plus" at the beginning of 2023.