WOHNSCHIRM
offers help with
excessive housing costs:

WOHNSCHIRM
offers help with
excessive housing costs:

WOHNSCHIRM

What is WOHNSCHIRM?

WOHNSCHIRM offers help with excessive housing costs: It can take over your rental or energy debts, or support you financially with relocation to another home.

Inflation, illness, job loss: There are many reasons why the money for rent or energy bills is no longer sufficient. WOHNSCHIRM helps people in different situations:

Have you lost your job and no longer know how to pay your rent?
Are you a single parent and can no longer afford your apartment due to rent increases?
Are you retired and can no longer pay your latest electricity bill?

For rental or energy debts: Visit us for a free consultation! Here you will find counselling centres in your area.

Not sure if WOHNSCHIRM can help you? Answers to common questions can be found here under Questions and Answers.

Download more information about WOHNSCHIRM (in German language)

Can WOHNSCHIRM rent help me?

What requirements do I have to meet to get financial help from WOHNSCHIRM rent?

You have rental debts and
cannot pay these.
Your main residence is in Austria.

All prerequisites will be clarified in more detail in a personal consultation. To do this, contact a counselling centre in your area.

In the free consultation, we look for suitable support together for you. We also clarify your financial situation:

What are your housing costs?
What is your rental debt?
How much money do you have available per month?

Here you can read which documents you need to bring with you for consultation.

**„**Child. Household. Grandma needs care. The rent has become so high – I don’t have time for more hours of paid work.**“**
*Ayla (29), saleswoman, single parent*

Problem:

Apartment no longer affordable.

Open running costs:
945 Euros

Solution:

WOHNSCHIRM helps with moving to a cheaper apartment.

Can WOHNSCHIRM energy help me?

What requirements do I have to meet to get financial help from WOHNSCHIRM energy?

You need to pay for energy in your household and
have energy debts.
You have a low income. Here you will find the income limits in German. Here you will find more information about income.
Your main residence is in Austria.

All prerequisites will be clarified in more detail in a personal consultation. To do this, please contact a counselling centre in your area.

In the free consultation, we look for suitable support together for you. We also clarify your financial situation:

What are your ongoing energy costs?
What is your debt with the energy provider?
How much money do you have available per month?

Here you can read which documents you need to bring with you for consultation.

Frau mit blonden Haaren, Bluse und Weste in einer Wohnung. — **„I managed to get help for my mental health problems, but now I have additional heating costs … how can I continue to heat my apartment?“**
*Frederike (57), Retired nurse*

Problem:

2 outstanding arrears:
780 Euro

Switch off of electricity and gas threatens.

Solution:

WOHNSCHIRM mediates with the energy company. The outstanding invoices are taken over.

The consultation will clarify whether a change of provider makes sense.

Where can I find my counselling centre?

Make an appointment right now at the counselling centre in your area.
Go to the list of all counselling centres in PDF format.

List of all counselling services

Download overview of counselling centres in PDF format

Questions & answers

WOHNSCHIRM rent

What requirements do I have to meet to get financial help from WOHNSCHIRM rent?

You have rental debts and
cannot pay these.
Your main residence is in Austria.

All prerequisites will be clarified in more detail in a personal consultation. To do this, contact a counselling centre in your area.

Are consultation and application free of charge?

Yes. Consultation and application are free of charge.

Can I visit a counselling centre without making an appointment?

Please make an appointment before your visit. Use the search function or the PDF list to find your counselling centre.

Can I contact any counselling centre in Austria?

Please contact a counselling centre in your area. It is not possible to apply in a state where you do not reside.

I cannot reach anyone at the counselling centre. What should I do now?

There are currently many inquiries in all counselling centres. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, please write an email. You can find the telephone numbers and email addresses here.

Can I only apply for WOHNSCHIRM rent?

Yes. Use the search function or the PDF list to find your counselling centre.

Can I apply for WOHNSCHIRM rent and WOHNSCHIRM energy?

Yes. Use the search function or the PDF list to find your counselling centre.

What happens during the consultation?

During the consultation, we will clarify your financial situation together:

How much money do you have available per month?
What are your housing costs?
What is your rental debt?

In addition, we will clarify whether your rental debts can be taken over or you can be supported financially with relocation to another home.

What do I need to bring with me for consultation?

Please bring important documents related to your housing and income situation, for example:

Photo ID
Proof of income of all household members (such as a pay slip)
Registration form
Rental contract
Energy bill(s) (such as electricity, gas)
Letters or emails from landlords, courts or lawyers

Do I have to be an Austrian citizen for the WOHNSCHIRM?

No, you do not need Austrian citizenship to receive support from WOHNSCHIRM.

I have received a notice of termination/eviction action/eviction date. What should I do now?

Does your landlord want to cancel the lease? Has the court contacted you? Has a date already been set for the evacuation of your apartment? Then contact the counselling centre in your area – even if you have already submitted an application. Your request will be given priority in these cases.

I have already lost my apartment – does WOHNSCHIRM rent still help me?

Please contact a counselling centre in your area.

Can I also receive support as a subtenant?

Yes. During the consultation, we will clarify whether your rental debts can be taken over or you can be supported financially with relocation to another home.

Does WOHNSCHIRM rent also help if the rental contract is limited in time?

Yes. During the consultation, we will clarify whether your rental debts can be taken over or you can be supported financially with relocation to another home.

Can I also receive support if I have rented a house?

Yes. During the consultation, we will clarify whether your rental debts can be taken over or you can be supported financially with relocation to another home.

I have rental debts at my secondary residence. Are these also taken over?

No, rental debts are assumed for the main residence only.

Does WOHNSCHIRM rent only help with rental debts or are court costs also covered?

WOHNSCHIRM rent offers free advice and financial help with rental debts. If you receive financial support from WOHNSCHIRM rent, costs for court, lawyers or dunning fees, for example, can also be paid.

Are debts (for example, loans) also taken over that I have made to pay the rent?

No, only currently outstanding rental debts are assumed.

I have no rental debts, but have to pay running costs – can I get financial help from WOHNSCHIRM rent?

If your running costs are billed through your landlord, financial assistance is possible.

Can WOHNSCHIRM rent support me financially when moving abroad?

No, WOHNSCHIRM rent only supports relocation to another home within Austria.

Where is the support service transferred to?

Open rents are transferred to those persons/bodies to whom you owe the rent. Relocation support services will be transferred directly to you.

How long does it take for my application to be processed?

Currently, many people are submitting WOHNSCHIRM applications. Therefore, there may be longer waiting times. Your request will be processed in any case. If you receive a notice of termination/eviction action/eviction date during the waiting period, contact the counselling centre in your area. Your request will then be prioritised.

How do I know if my application for financial aid has been approved by WOHNSCHIRM?

You and the regional counselling centre will be informed in writing.

I have more questions. Who can I speak to?

Please contact a counselling centre in your area. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, please write an email with your request. You can find the telephone numbers and email addresses here.

Is it possible to consult in another language?

Occasionally, advice in other languages is possible. Please contact a counselling centre in your area.

WOHNSCHIRM energy

What requirements do I have to meet to get financial help from WOHNSCHIRM energy?

You need to pay for energy in your household and
have energy debts.
You have a low income. Here you will find the income limits.
Your main residence is in Austria.

All prerequisites will be clarified in more detail in a personal consultation. To do this, please contact a counselling centre in your area.

What is my maximum allowed income?

Here you will find the income limits.

All prerequisites will be clarified in more detail in a personal consultation. To do this, please contact a counselling centre in your area.

What is counted as income?

Counted are payments such as:

Income from self-employment and non-self-employment (without holiday and Christmas bonus)
AMS benefits such as unemployment benefits and emergency assistance
Social assistance, minimum benefit
Pension
Family allowance, childcare allowance, alimony payments
Rental allowance, housing allowance
Sickness benefits

Not counted are benefits that I receive due to a need for (more) care, such as:

Care allowance
Subsidy for 24-hour care
increased family allowance

Are consultation and application free of charge?

Yes. Consultation and application are free of charge.

Can I visit a counselling centre without making an appointment?

Please make an appointment before your visit. Use the search function or the PDF list to find your counselling centre.

Can I contact any counselling centre in Austria?

Please contact a counselling centre in your area. It is not possible to apply in a state where you do not reside.

I cannot reach anyone at the counselling centre. What should I do now?

There are currently many inquiries in all counselling centres. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, please write an email. You can find the telephone numbers and email addresses here.

Can I apply for WOHNSCHIRM rent and WOHNSCHIRM energy?

Yes. Use the search function or the PDF list to find your counselling centre.

Can I only apply for WOHNSCHIRM energy?

Yes. Use the search function or the PDF list to find your counselling centre.

What happens during the consultation?

During the consultation, we will clarify your financial situation together:

How much money do you have available per month?
What are your energy costs?
What is your energy debt?

What do I need to bring with me for consultation?

Please bring important documents related to your housing and income situation, such as:

Photo ID
Registration form
Proof of income of all household members (such as a pay slip)
Energy bill(s) (such as electricity, gas, firewood)
Energy requirement
Evidence related to your energy debt (for example, reminders, letters or emails from landlords, courts or lawyers)

Do I have to be an Austrian citizen for WOHNSCHIRM?

No, you do not need Austrian citizenship to receive support from WOHNSCHIRM.

I got a switch-off date. What should I do now?

Has your energy supplier told you electricity or gas will be switched off? Please contact a counselling centre in your area. Your request will then be prioritised.

My electricity/heating has already been turned off – can WOHNSCHIRM energy still help me?

Yes. WOHNSCHIRM energy can also help you in this situation. Please contact a counselling centre in your area.

Can I also receive support as a subtenant?

Yes, if you can prove that you have to pay the costs.

How does the support work if electricity and heating are paid directly by the landlord or are payable by me to the landlord?

You need documents that prove how the payments are arranged. Your counselling centre can clarify any further questions with you.

Can I receive support from WOHNSCHIRM energy if I have rented a house?

Yes. You can also get support in managing your energy costs if you have rented a house.

Can I receive support from WOHNSCHIRM energy if I own my own property – house or apartment?

Yes. You can also receive support for your home ownership if you have registered your main residence there.

Can I receive support from WOHNSCHIRM energy if I live in a shared apartment or in assisted living?

Yes. Here are some examples:

Crisis care facilities
Residential treatment communities
Facilities for people with disabilities
Assisted living facilities
Assisted homeless facilities

The counselling centre in your area will be happy to help you.

I have energy debts at my secondary residence. Are these also taken over?

No, support from WOHNSCHIRM energy is possible for the main residence only.

Are debts (for example, loans) also taken over that I have made to pay the rent?

No, only currently outstanding rental debts are assumed.

Can WOHNSCHIRM energy also cover dunning expenses, for example?

If you receive financial support from WOHNSCHIRM for energy debts, open dunning fees, for example, can also be paid.

Are debts also taken over from old energy supply contracts?

No. Debts can only be assumed from running energy supply contracts.

The switch off has resulted in extra costs. If it is switched on again, how is this covered?

Costs can be covered if they are demonstrably directly related to the management of energy costs.

Do I need an energy supply contract, and what is it?

In order to receive support from WOHNSCHIRM energy, you either need an energy supply contract, or you must prove that you personally buy heating material (for example: heating oil, wood, pellets, wood chips).

You have an energy supply contract if you purchase energy from an energy supply company (for example: electricity, gas, district heating).

I buy pellets/wood myself from a dealer/hardware store and therefore do not have a contract with anyone. Will WOHNSCHIRM energy still help me anyway?

Support is possible if you have demonstrably (e.g.: by submitting an open invoice) purchased or paid for heating material for your own consumption.

For what period can I apply for support for the management of energy costs?

An application for arrears is possible until 1 July 2021 (retroactively).

Can I also apply for WOHNSCHIRM energy for a family member or a friend?

Yes. In justified exceptional cases, you can submit an application for a person close to you. For this, you need a power of attorney from this person and all the documents that are necessary for the application.

How long does it take for my application to be processed?

Currently, many people are submitting WOHNSCHIRM applications. Therefore, there may be longer waiting times. Your request will be processed in any case. If you receive a switch-off date during the waiting period, contact the counselling centre in your area. Your request will then be prioritised.

How do I know if my application for financial aid has been approved by WOHNSCHIRM energy?

You and the regional counselling centre will be informed in writing.

Where is my support service transferred to?

The support service is usually transferred directly to your energy supplier. If this is not possible, a direct transfer to you can also be made.

I have more questions. Who can I speak to?

Please contact a counselling centre in your area. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, please write an email with your request. You can find the telephone numbers and email addresses here.

Is it possible to consult in another language?

Occasionally, advice in other languages is possible. Please contact a counselling centre in your area.