Welfare benefit

You can receive a social assistance benefit from the municipality if you have no or insufficient income and not many assets. You will then receive money from the municipality every month to pay for the costs of living.

You can find information about the Participation Act on the website of the National Government.

How does it work?

  • You can apply for benefits via werk.nl. Log in with your DigiD.
  • Your application will be sent to the municipality. You will then automatically receive a message whether you will receive the benefit.

Conditions

You can receive a social assistance benefit if you meet certain conditions:

  • You are older than 18 years.
  • You do not have sufficient income or assets to pay your usual living expenses. See the Social Assistance Standards page for more information.

What amount are you eligible to receive?

  • The amount of money you can receive depends on your age and whether you live alone or with someone. This is called the social assistance standard.
  • There are also rules regarding how much equity you are allowed to have in order to receive benefits.
  • Visit the Benefit Standards page for the amounts and more information.

Obligation to work

If you receive social assistance, you - and your partner if applicable - are subject to the obligation to work. The obligation to work includes the following:

  • You are looking for work and accept an offer of work.
  • You are using a municipal service that can help you find employment or stay active in another way.
  • You cooperate in an investigation into your job opportunities.

If you do not comply with this, the municipality may temporarily reduce the right to benefits. You will then receive less benefits.

Obligation to provide information

Under the Participation Act, you – and your partner if applicable – have a duty to provide information. This includes the following:

  • You must, either upon request or as quickly as possible on your own initiative, report anything that could affect your entitlement to benefits or job placement assistance.

If you do not comply with your obligation to provide information, or do so insufficiently, the municipality must revise or withdraw your right to benefits. This may mean that the municipality will reclaim the assistance provided. In addition, the municipality will determine whether a fine should be imposed.