High operating costs, a personal crisis or other factors - financial emergencies can affect anyone. Please speak to us at an early stage if you encounter payment difficulties and do not stop paying rent without comment. Together we will find a solution, free of charge and confidential. Below you will find an overview of the support we offer.
Small help, big effect. Our specially trained colleagues from rent debt counseling and social counseling are at your side with advice and support services. In a confidential discussion, they work with you to develop solutions to reduce rent arrears, advise on support offers and help with applications for social benefits.
How to reach us:Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursdays 3 p.m. to 5 p.m
When:Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Where:Anna-Ebermann-Straße 6, 13053 Berlin Show on Google Maps
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If you have already received notice of termination due to rent arrears - or you are already threatened with an eviction action - then you can also contact the social housing assistance (specialist department for housing emergencies) in the social welfare office in your respective district. There you can get advice and find support. In many cases forced evictions can be prevented with the help of the authorities. Many non-statutory welfare organizations also offer help if you are about to lose your home or if you have already lost it.
Issue your SEPA direct debit mandate conveniently online here. This way we can automatically debit your rent and you don't have to worry about anything else. Or check whether the rent can be transferred to us directly from the office. Your customer center will help you with this. Also, as a precautionary measure, increase your advance payments for hot and/or cold operating costs and thus avoid high back payment claims.
Increased energy costs and food prices are a burden for many people. The federal government has therefore put together extensive relief packages that are intended to help you financially. You can find an overview here.
There are various state support offers that are intended to ensure the preservation of the apartment and to make it easier to deal with increased energy costs.
Housing benefit is a rent subsidy. With this, the federal and state governments want to prevent someone from losing their home for financial reasons. Housing benefit can be applied for at your Citizens' Registration Office or at the housing office in the Berlin district in which you live.
Housing benefit is only granted on application. That means you have to apply to your housing office.
The amount of the housing benefit as a rent subsidy depends on various points:
You can use the housing benefit calculatorto check whether you can receive housing benefit.
You can also find more information about housing benefit here.
People on low incomes who cannot pay their heating bill or additional heating cost claim should contact the job center and apply for benefits under SGB II.
Even if your income usually covers your needs and you are therefore not entitled to long-term benefits, a high heating bill or additional claim can justify a one-time entitlement to unemployment benefit II.
It is important that you submit the application for citizen's allowance in the month in which the additional payment is due. The job center checks whether the costs and your consumption are reasonable and whether you are entitled to benefits based on your income.
You can find the job center for your district here.
If you can no longer pay your heating bill or supplementary heating bill due to the increased prices, contact the social welfare office in your district and apply for benefits under SGB XII (basic security).
Even if your pension usually covers your needs and you are therefore not permanently entitled to basic security, a high heating bill or additional demand can justify a one-time entitlement to basic security.
It is important that you submit the application for basic security in the month in which the additional payment is due. The social welfare office first checks whether the costs or your consumption are reasonable and whether you are entitled to benefits based on your income.
You can find the social welfare office for your district here.
Proper heating and ventilation is not only good for the indoor climate, but also for your utility bills. You can also find power guzzlers and reduce your energy costs with the effective tips, expert videos and checklists on our advice page.
Exclusive: Saving electricity with CaritasIn cooperation with Caritas, we offer you individual energy saving advice from the Storm Saving Checker.
KIEZCONTAINER in Hohenschönhausen When:every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Where:Anna-Ebermann-Straße 6, 13053 Berlin Show on Google Maps
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Thermometersiedlung When:every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Where:Celsiusstraße 60, 12207 Berlin Show on Google Maps
Central Library Wilhelm Liebknecht /Namik Kemal When:every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 2pm to 4pm. Where:Adalbertstr. 2, 10999 Berlin Show on Google Maps
More about the Stormspar checkers at www.stromspar-check.de.
Other locations will follow.
