You must notify the housing assistance agency immediately if

• your total income has increased by more than 15 percent,
• your rent or mortgage payment (excluding heating costs) has decreased by more than 15 percent, or
• the number of household members has decreased.

If your total income decreases because there are fewer members in your household to be taken into account, this may also be a reason for a change in your housing allowance.

Please note the following:

If your financial situation or living circumstances have improved or changed, this may result in a reduction in your housing allowance. You are required to immediately notify the housing allowance authority of any changes that could lead to a reduction in your housing allowance. To prevent or detect the unlawful receipt of housing allowance, the housing allowance authority regularly verifies household members by cross-checking data.

To prevent or detect the unlawful receipt of housing allowance, the housing allowance authority may regularly verify household members by cross-checking data—including through automated means—in particular with the pension insurance data center.

For example, a comparison may be made to determine

• whether citizen’s income (formerly Unemployment Benefit II) is being paid while housing allowance is being received,
• whether the recipient is engaged in employment subject to social insurance contributions or in marginal employment,
• or the amount of investment income for which an exemption order has been issued.

It is also possible to cross-check with the registration authority regarding registered addresses, housing status, and the timing of address changes. Additionally, the authority may request account information from the Federal Central Tax Office. Suspected cases of fraud are generally reported to the public prosecutor’s office.

Through these checks, the housing allowance authority can determine, for example,

• whether housing assistance is being received multiple times,
• whether transfer payments that would lead to disqualification from housing assistance are being received at the same time,
• whether the information provided in the housing allowance application
  • regarding income from employment,
  • income from one or more pensions,
  • income from capital gains (interest or dividends),
• whether, in the case of initial unemployment, unemployment benefits were discontinued (for example, due to taking a new job), and
• whether the original residence for which housing assistance was provided is still actually being used.

The review may be conducted up to ten years after notification of the relevant housing allowance approval.

Your notification will be reviewed immediately. The processing time depends, among other things, on the completeness of your information and the submission of the evidence required for processing the application.

You will not be charged for longer processing times.

Please submit the following documents:

• Proof of a change in rent or charges
• Proof of changes in income
• Proof of changes in the number of household members to be considered