[H2] What is KdU and who is it paid to?
Kosten der Unterkunft und Heizung (KdU) is the reimbursement of housing and heating costs. The state pays these costs as part of social assistance – either together with Grundsicherungsgeld (the successor to Bürgergeld under SGB II) or with Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung (under SGB XII).
The concept is simple: if you do not have enough money for rent and heating, the state covers "reasonable" costs (angemessene Kosten). Not just any costs, but those considered normal for your region and family size.
Important: KdU is not a separate benefit. You cannot receive it on its own. It is always paid in addition to the main benefit (Grundsicherungsgeld or Grundsicherung).

[H2] Who is entitled to additional payment (and who will be denied)?
[H3] KdU is automatically paid to those who receive:

• Grundsicherungsgeld (formerly Bürgergeld) under § 22 SGB II
• Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung under § 42 SGB XII
• Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt (also under SGB XII)

You are entitled to reimbursement if:

• Your rent and heating costs are considered "adequate" in terms of size and cost for your region and family composition
• Your own income and savings are insufficient to cover these costs

[H2] Payment amount: How much do they pay in [year]?
[H3]The amount of KdU is calculated individually and includes:

• Cold rent (Kaltmiete) – the net rent without utilities
• Additional costs (Nebenkosten) – water, waste disposal, stairwell cleaning, etc.
• Heating and hot water costs (Heizkosten) 

However, there is a catch: the Jobcenter or Sozialamt only pays "reasonable" costs (angemessene Kosten). Each city and district has its own tables – determining how many square meters and how many euros per person are considered normal in that area.
Example of reasonable rent for a single person:

• In the city of Koblenz (as of January 2026): €500.07 per month
• In Mainz (as of January 2026): €563.62 per month
• In Schwerin: up to 50 sqm, with cold rent of €5.63–6.32 per sqm plus operating costs of €1.82 per sqm
• Hamburg (approximate): ~€620 per month for a single person
• Berlin (approximate): ~€570 per month for a single person

Important changes from July 1, 2026:

• Karenzzeit (grace period): In the first year of receiving benefits, actual housing costs are recognized – but only up to 1.5 times the reasonable amount. For example, if the reasonable rent is €600, the Jobcenter may cover up to €900 during the first year.
• Obergrenze (upper limit): Since July 1, 2026, costs exceeding 1.5 times the reasonable amount are not recognized at all, even during the grace period. This is a tightening of the rules compared to the previous Bürgergeld system.
• The grace period is counted in months of benefit receipt. A new grace period begins only if no Grundsicherungsgeld or Sozialhilfe has been received for 3 years.

If your rent exceeds the local limit, you will only receive KdU up to the limit. You will have to pay the difference out of your own pocket – or negotiate with your landlord to reduce the rent.

[H2] Filing and payment deadlines: When can I expect the money?
When do payments begin: From the month you submit your application for the main benefit (Grundsicherungsgeld or Grundsicherung).
Reporting changes: If you move or your landlord increases the rent – notify the Jobcenter / Sozialamt immediately. Otherwise, they may not pay the higher amount later or may demand repayment.
If you disagree with the decision: You have 1 month to file an objection (Widerspruch).

[H3] Moving – important rules
You must obtain prior approval (Zusicherung) before signing a new rental contract if you want the Jobcenter to cover the costs.
What happens without prior approval:

• If you move without approval, the Jobcenter will generally only cover costs up to the amount of your previous rent (or up to the reasonable limit).
• Within the grace period (Karenzzeit), higher costs are only recognized if the Jobcenter approved the move in advance.

For people under 25: Moving out of their parents' home requires prior approval from the Jobcenter. Without it, housing costs are generally not covered.
Exceptions: If you are in an emergency situation (e.g., fleeing domestic violence, urgent work start), you may not need prior approval, but you must prove that the conditions existed.

[H3] Cost reduction procedure (Kostensenkungsverfahren)
If your housing costs are too high, the Jobcenter will send you a formal letter called a Kostensenkungsaufforderung (cost reduction request).
What happens:

• You have 6 months to find a cheaper apartment, negotiate a rent reduction, or take other measures to lower costs.
• During these 6 months, the Jobcenter continues to pay the full amount (or up to 1.5 times the reasonable limit during the grace period).
• After the 6 months, if you have not moved or reduced your costs, the Jobcenter will only cover the reasonable amount. You must pay the difference yourself.

Important: If the Jobcenter cannot prove that cheaper housing is actually available in your area, you may be able to continue receiving full reimbursement. This is a common point of legal disputes.

[H2] Common mistakes in formatting (and how to avoid them)

1. Renting an apartment without prior approval. The Jobcenter may say: "This apartment is not reasonable, we will only cover €500 of €800." The rest comes out of your own pocket.
2. Not reporting a rent increase or moving. If you stay silent, do not be surprised when the money arrives at the old amount or stops altogether.
3. Not submitting the complete set of documents. Forgetting the rental contract, heating bills, or proof of payment – the review will be delayed for weeks.
4. Agreeing to a Jobcenter offer without checking. Sometimes the Jobcenter says: "We will move you to a cheaper apartment" (Unterkunftssicherung). Do not agree until you have checked whether it is actually beneficial for you.
5. Not appealing the KdU limits. The Jobcenter often sets limits lower than they should be. An objection here is frequently successful.
6. Moving to a more expensive apartment without requesting a higher KdU limit first. Before moving to a more expensive place, ask the Jobcenter: "Will you approve the new amount?" If they refuse, you are left with the debt.

Instructions for the situation when you are already receiving Grundsicherung (or have applied for it) and need to arrange housing cost coverage through the Sozialamt.

Step 1. Understand the core principle: there is no separate application "just for rent".
KdU (Kosten der Unterkunft – accommodation costs) is not an independent benefit type, but rather an integral component of the calculation of your monthly needs (Bedarf) within Grundsicherung. However, the conditions for receiving this portion of the benefit have their own specific requirements, which necessitate separate actions and documents. The Sozialamt does not pay for just any apartment – only for one that is deemed "reasonable" (angemessen).

Step 2. Submit a complete set of housing documents.
When you first apply for Grundsicherung or when you change your residence, you must provide the KdU department of your Sozialamt with the following:

• The current tenancy agreement (Mietvertrag) with all appendices.
• The most recent utility bill with a detailed breakdown (Betriebskostenabrechnung) and a receipt showing the current rent amount (Mietbescheinigung or the latest notification from the landlord about a rent increase).
• Documentation confirming your heating costs. This can be either invoices from your gas/district heating provider, or the contract itself if you use electric or stove heating (in which case these are calculated separately).

Step 3. Undergo the "reasonableness" check (Angemessenheitsprüfung).
This is the most contentious part. The Sozialamt will verify:

• Living space (square meters): For a single person, housing up to 45–50 m² is generally deemed reasonable (the exact standard depends on the federal state and specific city).
• Net cold rent (Kaltmiete): This must fall within the local rent benchmark (Mietrichtwert).
• Total gross warm rent (Bruttowarmmiete): This is the sum of cold rent, "cold" utility charges, and heating costs. This total must not exceed the limit established for your city.

Step 4. Actions based on the authority's decision.

• If the costs are deemed reasonable (angemessen): The process is complete, and the housing costs are included in your monthly benefit.
• If the costs exceed the reasonable limit (unangemessen): The Sozialamt will send you a letter requiring you to reduce your housing costs (Kostensenkungsaufforderung). It is crucial to respond correctly.
• The authority is generally obligated to pay the actual, above-limit rent for the first 6 months (Schonfrist – grace period) to give you time to find alternative housing, terminate your contract, or request a rent reduction from your landlord.
• After this period expires, if you have not taken active and demonstrable steps to lower the costs (e.g., searching for cheaper housing via ads, correspondence with real estate agents, submitting applications), the Sozialamt will only pay the standard benchmark amount. You will have to pay the difference out of your own pocket (from the discretionary portion of your benefit – which is practically impossible without other income), leading to debt accumulation and risk of eviction.

Step 5. Special considerations for heating costs (Heizkosten).
The Sozialamt covers heating costs provided they are reasonable. In doing so:

• The authority checks your annual consumption in kilowatt-hours and compares it to average figures for your building type.
• If you heat your home with electricity (e.g., night storage heaters – Nachtspeicheröfen), that consumption is calculated separately from household electricity (Haushaltsstrom). Do not confuse the two: household electricity is always included within the standard benefit rate (Regelsatz) and is not covered by KdU; heating electricity, however, is covered.

Important nuance: If you fall into arrears with rent or heating payments that threaten disconnection or eviction, the Sozialamt may take over the debt – provided that you contact them before the disconnection occurs, not after. This decision is made strictly on a case-by-case basis, and you must submit a separate written request for debt assumption (Schuldenübernahme) , attaching invoices from the service providers.

Step 6. Ongoing reporting obligations (Jobcenter / Sozialamt).
Annually, you are required to submit a copy of the latest utility bill (Nebenkostenabrechnung). If it turns out that you overpaid (i.e., you made advance payments exceeding your actual water/heating consumption), you will receive a refund. This refunded amount is considered income and will be offset by the Sozialamt against future housing benefit payments.

That is the procedure. I emphasize again: Moving without prior written consent from the Sozialamt (Zusicherung zur neuen Wohnung) will, in the vast majority of cases, automatically render the new apartment "unreasonable," and the authority will only pay based on the old standards. Therefore, any change of residence does not begin with apartment hunting – it begins with a letter to the Sozialamt.