Housing entitlement certificate (WBS) - your key to affordable housing for senior citizens and people in need of care

For many people, a housing entitlement certificate (WBS) can be the decisive step towards affordable and secure housing, especially for senior citizens and people in need of care who are dependent on support. It enables access to social housing and publicly subsidized rental apartments that are specifically intended for low-income households.

In this magazin , you will find out who is entitled to a WBS, what requirements must be met and how you can submit the application step by step to make your path to a suitable home easier.

What is a certificate of eligibility for housing (WBS)?

A Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS) is an official certificate confirming that a person or household is entitled to subsidized housing (social housing) in accordance with the Housing Assistance Act (WoFG).

The housing entitlement certificate serves as an access requirement for apartments that are built, modernized or rented out with public funds, i.e. through state or municipal subsidy programs. Only people with a valid WBS may move into these apartments.

Features and function of the WBS:

• The WBS proves that the household's income is below a certain income limit.
• It is issued by the competent authority or the housing office.
• The WBS is usually valid for one year from the date of issue.
• It contains information on the size of the household, the permitted apartment size (e.g. number of rooms, square meters) and the region of validity.
• Without this proof, a landlord may not rent a publicly subsidized apartment to the applicant.

Aim of the WBS

The housing entitlement certificate is intended to ensure that people on lower incomes, senior citizens, people in need of care or households with children can obtain affordable housing and social housing. The housing entitlement certificate thus makes a decisive contribution to social justice and equal opportunities on the housing market.

In short:

The Wohnberechtigungsschein is proof of entitlement to housing, i.e. a government confirmation that someone has the right to move into social housing.

Importance of the WBS for apartment seekers

The housing entitlement certificate (WBS) is a key instrument for promoting housing in Germany. Its main aim is to distribute housing in a socially fair manner and to ensure that lower-income households, senior citizens, single parents and people with disabilities also have access to appropriate and affordable housing.

It functions as an eligibility requirement for so-called social housing, i.e. publicly subsidized apartments that are built or modernized with financial support from the state or the federal states. These apartments are subject to rent control, which means that they are rented at a lower price than privately financed apartments on the open market.

The WBS not only strengthens the individual right to housing, but also promotes the social mix of urban districts. Particularly in conurbations with high rents, the WBS enables many citizens to stay in their city or municipality instead of being displaced due to rising rents.

At the same time, the WBS supports the public sector in the targeted use of housing subsidies. Only those who can prove that they meet the income limits receive the certificate. This means that the subsidized housing actually benefits the people who need it most.

Legal basis: Section 5 WoFG

The legal basis for this is Section 5 of the Housing Assistance Act (WoFG). This regulates who is considered eligible for housing and under what conditions a WBS may be issued. The federal states must take §§ 6-8 and 10 into account.

Target group of the housing entitlement certificate

A WBS is aimed at citizens whose household income does not exceed certain income limits. Senior citizens, people in need of care, single parents and two-person households benefit in particular.

Difference between WBS 100, WBS 140 and WBS 160

The different WBS levels (100, 140 and 160) show how high a household's income is in relation to the statutory income limit. This classification determines which apartments you are allowed to rent with your housing entitlement certificate (WBS).

• WBS 100: full income within the limit
• WBS 140: up to 40 % above the base limit
• WBS 160: up to 60 % above the basic limit

These variants determine what type of social housing may be occupied.

Income limits and household size

The income limit depends on the number of people living in the household. Different values apply for a single person than for two-person households or families with children.

Example: Income limit for two people

A two-person household may have a higher income than a single person. The exact limit varies depending on the federal state and type of WBS.

Additional allowances and deductions

Certain expenses, such as those for long-term care, childcare or medical expenses, can be deducted when calculating income.

Calculation of the relevant income

The household income includes the net income of all household members. Pensions, care allowance and child benefit are also regularly taken into account.

Declaration of income and supporting documents

For the WBS application, a complete income declaration and corresponding proof is required, such as payslips, pension statements or tax assessments.

Who can apply for a WBS?

Any person residing or planning to reside in Germany can apply for the WBS, provided the income requirements are met.

Requirements for the housing entitlement certificate

The most important requirements include:

• Residence or planned place of residence in Germany
• Proof of a permanent right of residence
• Compliance with the income limit
• No condominium or own house

Special regulations for senior citizens

Many senior citizens have a lower income, which is usually made up of pensions, annuities or care insurance benefits. This income is considered stable, regularly verifiable income and is recognized by the housing office.

As a rule, it is sufficient to submit a current pension certificate or a care degree classification to prove your income if you are in need of care. Complex proof of income such as payslips or tax returns are not required in most cases.

Furthermore, senior citizens with a care degree or health restrictions can claim additional allowances in order to reduce their income mathematically and thus comply with the income limit for the WBS. These allowances are used to take into account the additional costs for care, medication or barrier-free living.

Residential entitlement in the event of a need for care

People with a care degree or a chronic illness are given special consideration in the context of the housing entitlement certificate (WBS). The legislator recognizes that people in need of care often have higher living costs, for example due to expenses for medical care, care aids, barrier-free conversions or assistive technology.

For this reason, a WBS can also be granted if the household income is slightly above the usual income limit. In such cases, the responsible housing authorities take into account individual additional needs associated with the care or illness. These include, among other things:

• Costs for outpatient care services or home care
• Expenses for medical equipment or care aids
• Adaptations to the home for barrier-free living (e.g. installation of grab rails, floor-level showers or stair lifts)

The level of care itself also has a positive effect on the assessment of income. Depending on the classification (care grade 1-5), flat-rate allowances can be granted which reduce the qualifying income. This means that people with care needs receive tax and social security relief so that they can access subsidized housing despite having a slightly higher income.

Regional differences in Germany

The allocation of the WBS is regulated at state level. Each federal state sets its own income limits, procedures and forms.

Baden-Württemberg: Regional characteristics

In Baden-Württemberg, housing entitlement certificates can be applied for via the municipal offices. There are special guidelines for social housing and a clear scale of apartment sizes.

North Rhine-Westphalia: WBS for many households

The WBS is particularly widespread in North Rhine-Westphalia. The housing authority issues it on application, often via an online portal. Here, low-income households benefit greatly from subsidized housing.

Berlin: High demand for social housing

In Berlin, the certificate of eligibility for housing plays a central role, as the housing market is tight. Many housing companies require a valid WBS before a viewing.

Application procedure

The application for the WBS is submitted to the responsible office of the city or municipality, usually the housing office.

Applying for WBS - step by step

1. Request application form online or on site
2. Enclose documents and evidence
3. Submit application in person, by post or by e-mail
4. Wait for processing time
5. Receipt of the housing entitlement certificate

What documents are required?

Typical documents are

• Identity card or residence permit
• Proof of income of all household members
• Tenancy agreement or details of planned residence
• Proof of children, degree of care or disability

The authorities can check the information on household income or the number of persons. Incorrect information can lead to the WBS being withdrawn.

Online application and digital options

In many cities, the WBS application can be completed conveniently via the municipality's website. Some authorities also offer e-mail submission of the documents.

Processing time and fees

The processing time varies between two and six weeks, depending on the location. A small fee (usually 10-30 EUR) may apply.

Validity and extension of the WBS

A residence entitlement certificate is usually valid for one year. After expiry, a new application must be submitted if there is still an entitlement.

Apartment size and household size

The permissible living space depends on the number of people in the household. For one person, around 45-50 m² is allowed, for two people around 60 m².

Example: 2-room apartment with WBS

A 2-room apartment can be rented with a WBS if it does not exceed the permitted living space. In many cases, such apartments are publicly subsidized.

Tips for a successful apartment search

• Apply for WBS at an early stage
• Contact several housing offices
• Check apartment advertisements with reference to WBS
• Maintaining contacts with landlords and cooperatives

Housing benefit and housing entitlement certificate - two different but complementary forms of assistance

Housing benefit and the housing entitlement certificate (WBS) pursue a common goal: people on low incomes should be able to live affordably. Nevertheless, they are two different forms of support that clearly differ in their function and application, but which can complement each other.

Housing benefit is ongoing financial support from the state that is paid monthly to reduce the rent burden. It is aimed at citizens who do not live in social housing but are still overburdened by the cost of rent. Housing benefit is granted on application to the relevant housing benefit office and depends on several factors:

• Amount of the rent,
• Number of household members,
• Total household income.

The Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS), on the other hand, is not a monetary amount, but a certificate that allows access to subsidized housing. With a WBS, you can move into an apartment whose rent has already been reduced by state subsidies.

Combination of housing benefit and WBS

In some cases, it is possible and sensible to combine the two. If a person with a WBS moves into social housing, but the rent is still too high for their income despite the subsidy, they can also apply for housing benefit. This further reduces housing costs and eases the burden on the household budget.

WBS when moving to another federal state

If you move to another federal state, you often have to apply for a new housing entitlement certificate, as each state has its own regulations.

Loss or change of the WBS

If lost, the WBS can be reissued. If the income situation changes, the housing office must be informed.

Advantages of a residence entitlement certificate

A WBS offers many advantages:

• Access to social housing
• lower rents
• Security when looking for accommodation
• Support for low-income households

Important limits of the WBS:

• The WBS does not automatically provide an apartment, the active search for an apartment remains the responsibility of the citizen.
• The certificate is usually only valid for one year and must then be renewed.
• It is usually only valid in the federal state in which it was issued.
• The size of the apartment is limited and depends on the number of people in the household.
• The WBS is tied to income limits; if these are exceeded, the entitlement is lost.
• The number of social housing units available is limited in many places, especially in conurbations.

The WBS calculator as a guide

If you are unsure whether you meet the income requirements, you can use a WBS calculator. These online tools are available on many city and state websites.
Interested parties can enter their household income, household size and place of residence to check whether they are entitled to a housing entitlement certificate.

Although the WBS calculator does not replace a binding check by the housing office, it offers good initial orientation, especially for people who want to know whether an application is worthwhile.

Conclusion: opportunities and support for citizens

The housing entitlement certificate is an important key to affordable housing. For senior citizens, people in need of care and low-income households in particular, it offers real opportunities for a secure home.

With the right advice, complete documentation and a little patience, the WBS application is usually a decisive step on the way to fair and secure housing in Germany.