If you have a mini-job (Minijob) alongside your studies and want to apply for housing benefit (Wohngeld), the first question is usually whether your earnings change the result. This guide shows you how to check your case step by step, which limits apply in 2026 and 2027 and which information the housing benefit office needs.
Short answer: A mini-job counts as income for housing benefit. The mini-job limit is 603 euros per month in 2026 and 633 euros in 2027. Whether you can receive housing benefit at all depends first on the BAföG exclusion, then on household, income and rent. Only the housing benefit office can make a binding calculation. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- Check the exclusion first: if your course is in principle eligible for BAföG, you are generally not entitled to housing benefit (see our guide to housing benefit for students (in German)).
- The mini-job limit is 603 euros per month in 2026 and 633 euros per month in 2027 (source: Minijob-Zentrale, last updated October 2026).
- Your earnings feed into the calculation. The deductions are set out in the Housing Benefit Act, not in a rule of thumb.
- Everyone who lives with you in the household counts, including their income.
- Report changes in your earnings to the housing benefit office promptly.
Why a mini-job matters for housing benefit
Housing benefit depends on the income of all household members and on the rent. A mini-job is income and is therefore taken into account. The mini-job limit tells you up to which earnings a mini-job stays free of social insurance contributions. It is not the housing benefit threshold, so the two should be looked at separately.
The distinction matters. The mini-job limit is a rule of social insurance law, while the income rules for housing benefit are set out in the Housing Benefit Act. The table below lists the mini-job figures for 2026 and 2027.
| Limit | 2026 | 2027 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini-job, per month | 603 euros | 633 euros | Minijob-Zentrale, § 8 SGB IV |
| Mini-job, per year (calculated from the monthly figure) | 7,236 euros | 7,596 euros | Own calculation from the monthly figure |
| Midi-job transition zone, up to | 2,000 euros per month | 2,000 euros per month | § 20 para. 2 SGB IV |
How to check your case step by step
- Clarify the exclusion: check whether your course and your BAföG entitlement in principle lead to an exclusion. Only then does the calculation make sense.
- Define the household: note everyone who lives with you and whether they have their own income.
- Record your income: enter the earnings from your mini-job and any other income. Use payslips from recent months as evidence.
- Check the rent: have the rental contract and the service charge statement ready. Only the rent within the limits of the Housing Benefit Act counts.
- Submit the application: send it to the responsible housing benefit office and keep a copy of all documents.
A worked example with assumptions
Assumption: you work in a mini-job and earn 500 euros gross per month. That is below the mini-job limit of 603 euros for 2026. The mini-job stays free of social insurance contributions, but it still counts as income in the housing benefit calculation.
Assumption: you live alone and your rent is above the amount that can be taken into account. The housing benefit office then decides which maximum rent applies. We deliberately do not give a figure for your entitlement, because it depends on the rent level in your municipality, your income and the size of your household.
Which information the office needs
Complete information saves time. The office usually asks for the following points:
- Address, rental contract, rent and service charges
- Details of all household members, with date of birth and income
- Payslips or income certificates for the mini-job
- Proof of your studies, for example the enrolment certificate
- BAföG notices from the BAföG office, including refusals
Before your appointment, write down all income and expenses for the last three months in a simple list and add the proofs you have. This shows you gaps early and makes the conversation with the office much shorter. The list does not replace a notice, but it helps you prepare.
What an online calculator can and cannot do
Online housing benefit calculators give you an orientation. They do not replace the notice, because they cannot capture the particulars of your household. You can check on the website of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building whether it offers a calculator. Use the result as a guide and then check it with the office.
Looking ahead, the mini-job limit rises to 633 euros in 2027. For the changes to housing benefit itself, see our guide housing benefit 2027.
Typical pitfalls with mini-jobs and housing benefit
In practice, applications often stall on a few points. Be aware of these four:
- Several mini-jobs: several marginal jobs are added together for the mini-job limit (§ 8 SGB IV). For the application you declare all income, not only the largest job.
- Varying earnings: if you earn more in some months, agree on an average over a longer period with the office rather than quoting one good month.
- Missing payslips: without payslips or income certificates the office cannot check your income, and the process is delayed.
- Rent without proof: a verbal statement about the rent rarely suffices. Attach the rental contract and keep the latest service charge statement ready.
Frequently asked questions
Does my mini-job count in full for housing benefit?
Your earnings are generally included in the calculation. The deductions are set out in the Housing Benefit Act. The office will tell you the exact amount, not the mini-job limit.
What changes for mini-jobs in 2027?
The mini-job limit rises to 633 euros per month. What will change for housing benefit itself depends on the law, which has not been promulgated yet. Do not base your plans on press reports alone.
Is an online calculator enough as proof?
No. A calculator is an orientation. The binding proof is the notice from the housing benefit office that you receive with your application.
What if I have two mini-jobs at the same time?
Several mini-jobs are added together for the mini-job limit. For the housing benefit application you declare all income. The office then decides how the total enters the calculation.
Do I have to declare fluctuating mini-job earnings?
Yes, you must declare all income in full. If your earnings vary a lot, clarify with the office how an average is formed and keep the proofs ready.
What if I earn more than planned?
Report material changes to the housing benefit office promptly and in writing. If you do not report changes, housing benefit paid in excess may be reclaimed.
What to do next
- Clarify the BAföG exclusion before you collect any figures.
- Gather payslips from recent months and your rental documents.
- Use the calculator of the Federal Ministry as an orientation, if it is available.
- Ask the housing benefit office how your earnings will be taken into account for 2026 and 2027.
Related guides
- Minijob or Student Job: Limits in Figures Compared
- Part-Time Jobs and Taxes for Students in Germany
- Minijob-Grenze 2027 für Studierende (in German)
- Nebenjob und Steuern (in German)
Sources: Housing Benefit Act (WoGG) (last updated October 2026); § 8 SGB IV, marginal employment (last updated October 2026); § 20 SGB IV, transition zone (last updated October 2026); Minijob-Zentrale, mini-job limit 2027 (last updated October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
