Housing Benefit (Wohngeld) How long does Wohngeld take?
Estimated wait
21 days – 6 months
Based on published sources
Typically ~76 days
A housing benefit (Wohngeld) application takes anywhere from about 3 weeks to several months. Since the 2023 Wohngeld-Plus reform sharply increased the number of applications, many offices now take 3 to 6 months, though simple renewals are faster.
More details
If you are in financial hardship while waiting, you can request an advance payment (Vorschuss) or apply for citizen benefit (Bürgergeld) as a bridge. A complete application with all income and rent documents avoids the most common delays.
🕒 Last updated: 28 Jun 2026