Social assistance, benefits

When am I entitled to social assistance?

The municipality will assess whether you are entitled to social assistance. Social assistance benefits are not always paid out in cash. Sometimes, for example, you may receive food, clothing, or housing. The municipality may also provide you with assistance in the form of a loan, which you will have to repay later.

Apply for assistance

You can apply for social assistance benefits via werk.nl. Log in with your DigiD. If you do not have a DigiD, call your local Werkplein.

Your application will be sent to the municipality. You will then automatically receive notification of whether you will receive the benefit.

Please note!

• Always report changes in your income or personal situation in a timely manner. This will prevent you from accidentally committing fraud.
• If you do not cooperate with your reintegration, misbehave, or commit fraud, the municipality may reduce or stop your benefits. You may then have to repay your benefits to the municipality. You may also be fined.

Group health insurance & contribution to social and cultural activities

It is also possible to apply for a contribution towards collective health insurance and social and cultural activities.

Request contributions here

What do I need?

• valid proof of identity for you and, if applicable, your partner
• proof of your income
• proof of your debts
• proof of your assets (possessions, such as savings, car, house, shares)
• proof of your employment history (your last employer and the start and end dates of your contract)

Do you live with your partner and/or children under the age of 18? If so, you will also need proof of their income, debts, and employment history.

How long will it take?

You will receive notification within 8 weeks as to whether you will receive the benefit. If the municipality requests additional supporting documents, this period may be extended.

Advance payment

You can receive an advance payment within four weeks if you do not have enough money to wait until the benefit has been transferred to you. The advance payment is at least 90% of the social assistance benefit. You will continue to receive the advance payment until the municipality has made a decision.

• If you are awarded social assistance benefits, the municipality will deduct the advance payment from your benefits.
• If you are not awarded social assistance benefits, you must repay the advance.

No advance payment

Are you younger than 27 and living alone? Or do you live with a partner who is also younger than 27? Then you will not receive an advance payment for the first 4 weeks. This is because you can only submit your application for social assistance after 4 weeks.

The municipality may refuse to give you an advance if:

• if it is already clear at the time of application that you are not entitled to social assistance benefits
• you do not provide sufficient supporting documents
• you submit the supporting documents too late
• you do not cooperate sufficiently in the processing of your application

Lodge an objection

Do you disagree with the municipality's decision? If so, you can lodge an objection within six weeks.

Terms and Conditions

You can apply for benefits if you meet the following conditions:

• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You are Dutch or equivalent. You are considered equivalent to a Dutch citizen if you come from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. You are also considered equivalent if you have a valid residence permit or are otherwise legally residing in the Netherlands. For example, if you are involved in legal proceedings against the rejection of your residence permit.
• You live or are staying in the Netherlands.
• You have no or insufficient income of your own.
• You have no equity or your equity is less than the maximum amount. Think of savings or your own home.
• You cannot receive any other benefits, such as unemployment benefits or disability benefits.
• You are not excluded from the right to social assistance benefits. This applies, for example, if you are in prison.

I am younger than 27 years old

Are you younger than 27? Then you must first register for social assistance. After registering, you have four weeks to look for work or training. If you are unsuccessful, you can apply for social assistance benefits after this period.

Reintegration

In addition to your entitlement to benefits, you may also be entitled to assistance in finding paid employment. We refer to this as reintegration. You may also be entitled to reintegration if you do not receive social assistance benefits. Do you need training, further education, or additional guidance? If so, this can be arranged for you. You are usually required to accept the job you are offered. This work does not always have to match your knowledge and experience.