Social assistance benefit
Assistance is a benefit provided by the municipality for people who do not have a job and do not have enough money to live on. This benefit is regulated in the Participation Act. If you are unable to make ends meet, you may receive an allowance under some Requirements . A benefit comes with rights and obligations. For example, you must look for work so that you can earn money yourself.
Requirements
You are entitled to Social assistance benefit benefit if your (joint) income and own assets are below social assistance level. Equity does not only include savings. For example, a car or your own home can also be considered equity. Furthermore, the following Requirements apply:
- You are 18 years of age or older;
- You have the Dutch nationality;
- You do not receive any other benefits;
- You are not in prison or a house of detention.
Younger than 27?
Are you under 27 and want to apply for benefits? You can apply for benefits at www.werk.nl. You can leave only your contact information. From then on, you must actively look for work and/or education yourself for 4 weeks. During these four weeks, an income consultant will contact you. Do you think you cannot meet this search period? Then contact the Area Team.
Request
You apply for Social assistance benefit benefit at www.werk.nl. Along with applying for the benefit, you register as a job seeker with the UWV. It is important that you register immediately. This is because the date of registration is important in determining your entitlement to benefits.
Letter of invitation
Once your application is in, you will receive a letter of invitation. This letter will tell you exactly what you need to bring. We need some information from you. This way we can determine whether you are entitled to benefits. Have you not been contacted by an income consultant within a week? Then contact the Area Team.
Are you self-employed?
Are you struggling to make ends meet as a self-employed person? Then click here for more information.
Help with your application
For help with your application, please contact Humanitas Home Administration
When will I receive my Social assistance benefit?
Are you receiving a Social assistance benefit? Below are the dates when we transfer the money to your account:
- Jan. 3, 2025
- Feb. 3, 2025
- March 3, 2025
- April 3, 2025
- May 2, 2025
- June 3, 2025 (you will also receive vacation pay this month)
- July 3, 2025
- August 1, 2025
- Sept. 3, 2025
- October 3, 2025
- November 3, 2025
- December 3, 2025
Communicating changes
If you receive benefits, you must report some changes to us. This is called the "duty to provide information. Not all changes affect your benefit. Are you unsure whether or not you need to report something? Please contact us. What changes do you need to think of?
Changes in your personal situation
- If you are moving, cohabitating, getting divorced or if someone is relocating
- If someone comes to live with you temporarily
- If you get into a relationship, spend more and more time together and stay together. You must also report this if you both still own your own home
Changes in your income
It is important that we know in time what your income is. This prevents you from receiving too much benefit. What income should you think of?
- Income from work
- Alimony
- Internship Fee
- If you sell stuff (for example, through Marketplace)
- Amounts won with gambling
- An inheritance, donation or gift
Vacation
If you go on vacation in the Netherlands or abroad you must tell us.
Are you receiving a gift from someone else?
Are you receiving a gift from someone else? A gift is an amount of money or the value of something you receive. You receive it from someone you know or an organization. Examples of gifts are:
- A bag of groceries
- Money to help you pay bills
- Money as an extra to get through the month
- A refrigerator or a washing machine
You may keep these gifts. However, you must report each gift or addition to us. As a single person, you may not receive more than €1,200 per calendar year. As a family, you may not receive more than €1,700 per calendar year.
How can I report changes?
You may report a change by completing the form below. You may send this form to werkeninkomen@opsterland.nl. Is it not working? You can always contact us.
