Cost of Accommodation (KdU) — Rent and Heating under § 22 SGB II

Jobcenter · Housing costs under Grundsicherungsgeld (basic income support benefit for jobseekers; known as Bürgergeld until 30 June 2026) · Law as at 1 July 2026

In personApplication also possible online

At a glance

Grace period

12 months — accommodation only

Cap during the grace period

1.5 times the reference value

Heating costs

Checked for reasonableness from day one

Deadline after cost-reduction request

Usually 6 months

Last updated31 August 2026

State of the lawVersion of 16 April 2026, in force since 1 July 2026

Legal basis§ 22 SGB II — Needs for accommodation and heating, last amended by Art. 1a of the Act of 16 April 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 107)

Local reference valuesBerlin: AV-Wohnen since 1 January 2026 · Hamburg: as of April 2026 · Munich: as of January 2026

VerificationChecked against gesetze-im-internet.de

Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta

Independent information site: We are not the Jobcenter, not an authority, and not paid advice — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained simply here; the competent body is always authoritative. § 22 SGB II applies uniformly across Germany, but each local authority sets the specific reasonableness reference values through its own coherent concept and updates them regularly. The value currently applicable to your place of residence always governs. All information provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.

What changed on 1 July 2026

On 1 July 2026, basic income support for jobseekers (Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende) was restructured. The ongoing cash benefit has since been called by law Grundsicherungsgeld (§ 19 Abs. 1 SGB II); the term "Bürgergeld" no longer appears in the text of the law. The benefit has not been abolished — it merely has a new name, and nothing essential changes in the application process. Details can be found under Applying for Grundsicherungsgeld and Continuation application.

For housing costs, the renaming is the smaller piece of news. More important is the new version of § 22 SGB II introduced by Article 1a of the Act of 16 April 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 107): the grace period still exists, but it has now been capped at an upper limit. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II provides that actual expenses for accommodation are not recognised as a need “to the extent that they are more than one and a half times as high as the expenses considered reasonable in the abstract”.

The widespread claim that every rent — even an excessive one — is covered in the first year is therefore out of date. Worked example for Berlin: the reference value of the Bruttokaltmiete (gross cold rent: rent plus service charges, excluding heating) for a one-person household is €449 under the AV-Wohnen, so the cap is €673.50. If the apartment costs €780 gross cold rent, €106.50 per month is left for you to pay — out of the standard needs (Regelbedarf), which is not calculated to cover this.

The second clarification concerns heating costs: the grace period has never covered them. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 2 SGB II expressly limits the grace year to “the needs for accommodation”, and § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 9 SGB II subjects heating to the reasonableness check from the outset. Heating costs are recognised in addition to the cold rent — but only to a reasonable amount, even in the first year. There is, at least, also some relief: under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 10 SGB II, the grace period is not counted towards the six-month period of the cost-reduction procedure.

Required documents

Complete tenancy agreement with all annexes and amendments — This is the key proof that you actually owe the housing costs, and it is required including the signature page and all rent-increase amendments. What matters is the breakdown into net cold rent, cold service charges and advance payments for heating: only the first two items fall under the grace period. The agreement remains valid indefinitely but must be resubmitted whenever it changes; you can obtain a copy from the landlord or the property management company.

Rent certificate from the landlord (Annex KDU) — Because the tenancy agreement is often several years old, the Jobcenter additionally requires a current confirmation of the rent currently owed. You can obtain the form from the Jobcenter or on your local authority's portal; it is completed by the landlord. It should be no older than three months, because it underpins the approval period (Bewilligungszeitraum).

Proof of payment for the last three months — Bank statements, standing-order confirmations or receipts show that the rent has actually been paid; only expenses actually incurred count as need. In the event of arrears, they are also the starting point for the assessment under § 22 Abs. 8 SGB II. Submit the statements in full — redacted amounts regularly lead to requests for further information.

Latest service charge statement — This shows whether an additional payment is due or a credit arises; both are relevant to your benefit. An additional payment counts as need in the month it falls due, while a credit reduces the expenses under § 22 Abs. 3 SGB II from the month after it is credited. The statement comes from the landlord and must be submitted even if it turns out in your favour.

Heating cost statement or fuel invoices — Because heating is excluded from the grace period, the local authority checks it from the first month onwards. For central heating, the annual statement is sufficient; for oil, pellets, liquefied petroleum gas or firewood, submit the delivery invoice, because the need arises as a one-off in the month it falls due. The evidence is also the basis for justifying increased consumption.

Evidence of living space and household size — The living-space calculation, floor plan or registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) determine which reference-value tier applies, because reasonableness is based on the number of persons in the Bedarfsgemeinschaft (community of need). This information comes from the tenancy agreement or the Bürgeramt (citizens' office). Report every move-in or move-out immediately, because the recognised need changes as a result.

For owner-occupied property: evidence of ongoing charges — Recognised items include, among others, loan interest (not repayment), property tax, building insurance and the owners' association fee (Hausgeld) excluding the maintenance reserve; you must submit the loan account statement, the property tax notice and the Hausgeld statement. For unavoidable expenses for maintenance and repair, § 22 Abs. 2 SGB II additionally applies — they can be covered, and for larger amounts as a loan secured in rem. Keep cost estimates ready for this purpose.

For subletting: sublease agreement and proof of income — If you take in another person, the subletting income reduces the recognised need, because to that extent you are no longer burdened. You must submit the written sublease agreement and proof of the payments actually received. With the landlord's approval, subletting is also a recognised means of reducing costs.

If loss of housing is imminent: payment reminders, notice of termination, eviction action — To cover rent arrears under § 22 Abs. 8 SGB II, the local authority must be able to assess the risk situation. Submit all payment reminder letters, the notice of termination and any eviction action together with the case reference number immediately. Every day counts, because a termination without notice for payment default can only be rendered ineffective by a back payment within tight statutory deadlines.

If you move: written assurance before signing the contract — Under § 22 Abs. 4 SGB II, you should obtain the assurance before signing; for housing procurement costs, moving costs and the rent security deposit (Mietkaution), it is even a requirement for cost coverage under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II. For housing procurement and moving costs, the previous local authority is competent; for the deposit and cooperative shares, the new local authority is competent. Apply in writing — details under Moving cost coverage.

Step by step

State housing costs fully and separately

In the application, enter the net cold rent, the cold service charges and the advance payments for heating as three separate items, and enclose the tenancy agreement and the rent certificate. This separation is not a mere formality: only the net cold rent and the cold service charges make up the gross cold rent, which falls under the grace period, while heating is checked immediately. Anyone who states everything as a single sum risks the local authority estimating the heating costs too low. Allow two to six weeks for the official notice (Bescheid); for first applications, an advance payment is possible.

Calculating the grace period: start, end, extension

Under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 2 and 3 SGB II, the grace period lasts one year and begins at the start of the month in which you first receive benefits — not on the day you submit the application, and not on the date of the notice. If you receive no benefits for at least one full month in between, the grace period is extended under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 4 SGB II by the full months without benefit receipt. A completely new grace period, on the other hand, only arises once you have received neither benefits under Book Two of the Social Code (SGB II) nor under Book Twelve of the Social Code (SGB XII) for at least three years, under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 5 SGB II. Note down the calculated end date — from then on, the simple reference value applies.

Calculating the 1.5x cap against the local reference value

Ask the local authority for the reference value of the gross cold rent applicable to your household size and multiply it by 1.5 — this is your cap during the grace period under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II. If your gross cold rent is below this, it is recognised in full. If it is above, only the capped amount is recognised and you must cover the difference from the standard needs. In Berlin, this means for one person: €449 × 1.5 = €673.50. Keep a written record of the information provided, because it is the basis for any later objection (Widerspruch).

Checking whether the grace period applies at all

§ 22 Abs. 1 Satz 8 SGB II excludes two cases from the grace period. First: the square-metre limit applicable in the relevant area is exceeded — then the grace year does not apply to accommodation. Second: the agreed rent exceeds the rent permitted under §§ 556d to 556g BGB, i.e. the Mietpreisbremse (rent cap on new leases in tight housing markets). In this second case, the local authority must require you to lodge a formal complaint (Rüge) with the landlord about the excessive rent. Before applying, therefore, check the local rent index (Mietspiegel); a successful complaint permanently lowers your rent and is more favourable for you than any move.

Documenting and justifying heating costs separately

Because heating is subject to the reasonableness check from the outset under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 9 SGB II, submit the heating cost statement or the fuel invoices on your own initiative. Many local authorities use the limits of the nationwide Heizspiegel (heating index) as a guide; consumption above this is considered an indication of unreasonableness, but it can be rebutted. Give concrete reasons — poor insulation, an attic or corner apartment, an old heating system, a need for care, or infants in the household are recognised arguments. For oil, pellet or wood heating, apply in good time before ordering, because the need arises as a one-off in the month it falls due.

Checking the notice and recognising the cost-reduction request

Under § 22 Abs. 1a SGB II, reasonableness is assessed for the approval period. If your expenses exceed the reasonable amount, the local authority must inform you of this and advise you of the duration and requirements for continued recognition. This advisory duty is a legal obligation: an omitted or inadequate cost-reduction request is one of the most successful grounds for objection, because without it the six-month period is not effectively triggered. Read the notice line by line and keep the envelope with the postmark.

Responding correctly to a cost-reduction request

Unreasonable expenses must be recognised for as long as a reduction is not possible or not reasonable to expect, but usually for no longer than six months (§ 22 Abs. 1 Satz 9 SGB II). “Usually” means: in an individual case, the period can be longer — this is exactly what your cooperation aims at. From the first day, document every housing application with date, provider, property and rejection, and collect screenshots of the portal listings. At the same time, check the less drastic options: subletting a room, negotiating a rent reduction, or a formal complaint under the Mietpreisbremse. Only once it is proven that none of these is possible does moving become relevant.

Obtaining the assurance before every move

Under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II, you should obtain the assurance before signing the new tenancy agreement. Expenses higher than reasonable are only recognised after a move if they were assured in writing in advance (Satz 3); for a move within the same comparison area that is not necessary, at most the previous need is recognised (Satz 4). For those under 25, § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II is noticeably stricter: without a prior assurance, no needs for accommodation and heating at all are recognised after a move. Apply for the assurance in writing, enclose the housing offer, and wait for the reply before signing.

Acting immediately and in writing in case of rent arrears

As soon as arrears arise, § 22 Abs. 8 SGB II applies: debts can be covered to the extent that this is justified to secure accommodation or to resolve a comparable emergency, and they should be covered if this is justified and necessary and homelessness would otherwise occur. Any realisable assets available must be used first, and the benefit is usually provided as a loan that is offset later. Submit the application in writing, enclose payment reminders, the notice of termination and the eviction action, and have the receipt confirmed. In parallel, the free-of-charge debt counselling (Schuldnerberatung) can help, and can also negotiate with the landlord.

Costs, Reference Values and Caps

Location (1-person household)	Reference value gross cold rent	Cap during the grace period (× 1.5)
Berlin (AV-Wohnen, since 1 January 2026)	€449	€673.50
Hamburg (Fachanweisung, as of April 2026)	€574	€861.00
Munich (as of January 2026)	up to €911	up to €1,366.50
Leipzig	Depends on the competent authority	Reference value × 1.5
Other cities and districts	Own coherent concept	Reference value × 1.5
Application and processing	No fee	No administrative fee

The application itself costs nothing. The administrative procedure under the SGB II is free of charge for persons entitled to benefits; objection and legal action before the social court (Sozialgericht) are also free of court costs. “Costs” here therefore does not mean fees, but the amounts that the local authority recognises as need — and the share that you may have to bear yourself.

What counts towards the gross cold rent. What matters is the sum of the net cold rent and the cold service charges (property tax, water and wastewater, refuse collection, building cleaning, lift, building insurance, caretaker and similar items). Not included are heating and hot water — these are checked separately and for reasonableness from the outset — nor is household electricity, which must be paid from the standard needs.

Why the values differ so widely. § 22 SGB II does not specify any amounts. Each local authority must determine reasonableness, in accordance with the case law of the Bundessozialgericht (Federal Social Court), using a so-called coherent concept that reflects the local housing market, and must update these values regularly. This is why Hamburg and Munich differ by several hundred euros, and why for many local authorities — including Leipzig — there is no nationally published value that could seriously be printed as a figure. Ask the local authority competent for your place of residence for the currently applicable reference-value table; you are entitled to this information.

The reference values increase with household size. The amounts given above each apply to a one-person household. For two, three, four and more persons, the local tables provide for noticeably higher values, with the increment per additional person decreasing as household size grows. The 1.5x cap is always applied to the reference value for your actual household size.

If the rent is not covered even with the cap. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 7 SGB II allows higher expenses to be recognised during the grace period in an individual case if they are unavoidable or arise in a Bedarfsgemeinschaft with children. This is a genuine hardship clause — justify it in writing and specifically, for example with disability, a need for care, a change of school for the children, or ongoing therapy at the place of residence.

Checking an alternative: Wohngeld (housing benefit) instead of Grundsicherungsgeld. If your income is just above the needs threshold, a grant towards the rent under the Housing Benefit Act (Wohngeldgesetz, WoGG) can be more advantageous and less intrusive than receiving benefits under the SGB II. A comparison is almost always worthwhile — details under Applying for Wohngeld.

Important notes

The grace period caps, it does not exempt. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II limits recognition to one and a half times the abstractly reasonable expenses. The widespread claim that every rent was paid in the first year was correct until 30 June 2026 and has been wrong since then. Work out your own cap before renting an apartment.

Heating costs are never “protected by the grace period”. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 9 SGB II subjects heating to the reasonableness check from the outset. It is recognised in addition to the cold rent, but reduced if consumption is considered unreasonable. Hot water is included, provided it is generated centrally via the heating system; if it is generated decentrally using electricity, it is treated as an additional needs allowance (Mehrbedarf).

The grace period does not apply for an apartment that is too large or a rent that is too high. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 8 SGB II excludes the grace year if the square-metre limit is exceeded or the rent is above the amount permitted under §§ 556d to 556g BGB. In the second case, the local authority must require you to lodge a formal complaint with the landlord — make use of this, because a successful complaint permanently lowers your rent.

Hardship clause during the grace period. Under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 7 SGB II, higher expenses can also be recognised if they are unavoidable or arise in a Bedarfsgemeinschaft with children. The application can be made informally, but should be submitted in writing, with a specific justification and supporting evidence.

An interruption extends the grace year. If you receive no benefits for at least one full month, the grace period is extended under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 4 SGB II by the full months without benefit receipt. A completely new grace period, by contrast, only begins after at least three years without benefits under the SGB II or SGB XII (Satz 5).

The six months only begin after the grace period. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 10 SGB II makes clear that the duration of the grace period is not counted towards the six-month period. Anyone who has gone through the grace year then usually gets another six months to reduce costs — and “usually” means: longer in a justified individual case.

Protection after a death. If a member of the Bedarfsgemeinschaft or household community dies, a reduction in housing costs is not reasonable to expect for at least twelve months after the month of death, under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 11 SGB II. During this period, you therefore do not have to move or sublet, even if the apartment has mathematically become too large for the remaining persons.

An uneconomical reduction may not be required. Under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 12 SGB II, a reduction need not be required if, taking the moving costs into account, it would be uneconomical. Therefore, calculate moving costs, the deposit, renovation and new fixtures against the monthly saving, and present this calculation to the local authority.

No effective deadline without an advisory notice. § 22 Abs. 1a SGB II obliges the local authority to inform you if the limit is exceeded and to advise you of the duration and requirements for continued recognition. If this cost-reduction request is missing or does not name a specific target amount, the later reduction can be challenged — this is one of the strongest grounds for objection of all.

Report service charge credits immediately. Under § 22 Abs. 3 SGB II, refunds and credits reduce the expenses from the month after they are credited. Refunds for household energy are expressly disregarded, because household electricity must be paid from the standard needs. Conversely, an additional payment counts as need in the month it falls due — there is no statutory cut-off period (Ausschlussfrist) for submitting it, but there is the requirement that you are receiving benefits in the month it falls due.

Owner-occupied property: repairs are regulated separately. For owner-occupied property, unavoidable expenses for maintenance and repair can be recognised as need under § 22 Abs. 2 SGB II. If they exceed the reasonableness limit, the benefit can be provided as a loan secured in rem — that is, with an entry of a security interest in the Grundbuch (land register). Obtain cost estimates beforehand and apply in writing.

Under 25: the assurance is mandatory, not a recommendation. § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II provides that, for persons under 25, no needs for accommodation and heating at all are recognised after a move without a prior assurance. Anyone who is young and wants to move out must therefore obtain the assurance beforehand without exception — otherwise they are left to cover the full rent alone.

Direct payment and one-off housing needs. Under § 22 Abs. 7 SGB II, the need should be paid directly to the landlord if proper use would otherwise not be ensured — you can also suggest this yourself, as it protects against new rent arrears. Initial furnishing, moving and housing procurement costs, as well as the rent security deposit, are not ongoing KdU, however, but separate benefits with their own application: Initial furnishing for an apartment and Moving cost coverage; the deposit is usually provided as a loan under § 22 Abs. 6 SGB II.

Common mistakes

Relying on the belief that “every rent” is paid during the grace period

This statement comes from the legal position in force until 30 June 2026 and still appears on countless websites. Since 1 July 2026, the cap under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II has applied. Consequence: anyone in Berlin who rents an apartment for €780 gross cold rent gets at most €673.50 recognised and pays €106.50 per month from the standard needs — over twelve months, that is €1,278 missing from the budget for food, clothing and electricity.

Assuming heating costs are automatically covered

Under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 2 SGB II, the grace period only applies to the needs for accommodation; heating is checked from the outset under Satz 9. Consequence: consumption above the local limits is already reduced in the first month, and the difference from the annual statement is left for you to pay. Anyone who does not justify high consumption in time with insulation, location or health reasons almost always loses this dispute.

Moving without a prior assurance

Under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 3 SGB II, expenses higher than reasonable are only recognised after a move if they were assured in writing in advance. Consequence for adults aged 25 and over: rent coverage is not lost entirely, but the part above the reasonableness limit is. Consequence for those under 25 under § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II: no needs for accommodation and heating at all are recognised — the entire rent and heating must be borne yourself.

Moving within the same comparison area without necessity

Anyone who, without good reason, moves into a more expensive apartment within the same comparison area falls under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 4 SGB II. Consequence: at most the previous need is recognised, even if the new apartment would be reasonable on its own. You bear the additional costs permanently yourself — even if you move again later.

Ignoring the cost-reduction request or only responding by phone

Under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 9 SGB II, unreasonable expenses usually continue to be recognised for no longer than six months. Consequence: after that, the local authority only pays the reasonable amount, and the entire difference is at your expense — permanently, until the costs are actually reduced. Phone calls do not help: without efforts documented in writing, there is no basis for justifying an extension beyond the six months.

Not documenting the housing search without gaps

The six-month period is a standard period, not a rigid limit — but it is only extended if you prove that a reduction was not possible or not reasonable to expect. Consequence without evidence: the local authority assumes a lack of cooperation and reduces the amount exactly from month seven. Therefore collect applications, rejections, screenshots of portal listings and dated notes of conversations.

Concealing a service charge credit

Under § 22 Abs. 3 SGB II, credits and refunds reduce the expenses from the month after they are credited, and must therefore be reported. Consequence: a notice of revocation and repayment (Aufhebungs- und Erstattungsbescheid) is issued for the benefits overpaid, and the amount is then offset; deliberate concealment can additionally lead to regulatory offence (Ordnungswidrigkeit) proceedings or criminal proceedings for fraud. Report the statement immediately, therefore — even if it turns out in your favour.

Reporting a service charge additional payment only after the due month

Contrary to what is often claimed, there is no statutory cut-off period for submission; the additional payment counts as need in the month it falls due, provided it is reasonable. Consequence of a late report: if the due month already falls outside your period of benefit receipt, the need is lost entirely, because it is allocated to a month without entitlement. The former special rule in § 37 Abs. 2 Satz 3 SGB II for heating cost statements only applied to applications up to 31 December 2023 and no longer helps today.

Waiting too long in case of rent arrears

§ 22 Abs. 8 SGB II permits debts to be covered to secure accommodation, and means they should be covered if homelessness would otherwise threaten. Consequence of waiting: after a termination without notice for payment default, a back payment can only render the termination ineffective within tight statutory deadlines — if this time passes, the termination remains effective even though the money is paid afterwards. Submit payment reminders and the notice of termination, therefore, on the day they are received.

Letting the objection deadline lapse

You can lodge an objection against any notice concerning the cost of accommodation, within one month of notification (Bekanntgabe) (§ 84 Abs. 1 SGG). Consequence of missing the deadline: the notice becomes final, and even a clearly unlawful reduction amount can then only be challenged through the laborious route of an application for review. The objection is free of charge and can initially be lodged without a statement of reasons — you can submit the reasons afterwards. If it is unsuccessful, the route leads to the social court, which also decides free of court costs.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Jobcenter pay my full rent?

No, not without limit since 1 July 2026. Even during the grace period, the actual expenses for accommodation are only recognised up to one and a half times the abstractly reasonable expenses under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 6 SGB II; you must bear everything above that yourself. Once the grace period has expired, the simple local reasonableness reference value applies.

What is the grace period and how long does it last?

The grace period is a grace year for housing costs: under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 2 and 3 SGB II it lasts one year and begins with the month in which you first receive benefits. During this time, the actual expenses for accommodation are recognised, but limited by the 1.5x cap and the exceptions in § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 8 SGB II.

Does the grace period also apply to heating costs?

No. The grace period expressly relates only to the needs for accommodation; heating costs are subject to the reasonableness check from the outset under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 9 SGB II. Heating costs are therefore recognised in addition to the cold rent, but only to a reasonable amount, even in the first year.

How high is the cap during the grace period, specifically?

The cap is one and a half times the local reference value for the gross cold rent. In Berlin, the reference value for a one-person household under the AV-Wohnen is €449, so the grace-period cap is €673.50. Because every local authority sets its own reference values, you must ask the competent local authority for the value applicable to your place of residence.

When does the grace period exceptionally not apply?

Under § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 8 SGB II, the grace period does not apply if the square-metre limit applicable in the relevant area is exceeded, or if the agreed rent exceeds the rent permitted under §§ 556d to 556g BGB. In the second case, the local authority must require you to lodge a formal complaint with the landlord about the excessive rent.

What happens after a cost-reduction request?

Unreasonable expenses must be recognised for as long as a reduction is not possible or not reasonable to expect, but usually for no longer than six months (§ 22 Abs. 1 Satz 9 SGB II). The protection in § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 10 SGB II is important: the duration of the grace period is not counted towards these six months, so the period only begins afterwards.

Do I have to ask the Jobcenter before moving?

Yes, you should obtain the assurance under § 22 Abs. 4 Satz 1 SGB II before signing the new tenancy agreement. Without the assurance, rent coverage is not lost entirely, only the recognition of the costs above the reasonable amount; for a move within the same comparison area that is not necessary, at most the previous need is recognised. For those under 25, § 22 Abs. 5 SGB II is stricter: without a prior assurance, no needs for accommodation and heating at all are recognised after a move.

What happens to a credit from the service charge statement?

Refunds and credits attributable to accommodation costs reduce the expenses, under § 22 Abs. 3 SGB II, from the month after they are credited. Refunds relating to household energy are expressly disregarded, because household electricity must be paid from the standard needs. Report every statement immediately, otherwise a notice of revocation and repayment (Aufhebungs- und Erstattungsbescheid) may follow.

Does the Jobcenter cover rent arrears?

Under § 22 Abs. 8 SGB II, debts can be covered to the extent that this is justified to secure accommodation or to resolve a comparable emergency; they should be covered if this is justified and necessary and homelessness would otherwise threaten. Any realisable assets available must be used first, and the benefit is usually provided as a loan.

Is the benefit still called Bürgergeld?

Not by law any more: since 1 July 2026, the ongoing cash benefit under § 19 Abs. 1 SGB II has been called Grundsicherungsgeld. The renaming changes nothing about the system of the cost of accommodation, but the simultaneous new version of § 22 SGB II with the 1.5x cap does.