Assistance, benefits

If you do not have enough money to live on, you can apply for social assistance benefits from the municipality. This benefit allows you to pay for fixed expenses, groceries and clothing, for example.

When can you apply for benefits?

If you:

  • 18 years of age or older.
  • Dutch citizen or equivalent*.
  • Lives or resides in the Netherlands.
  • Has no or not enough own income.
  • Has no assets or assets below the maximum amount (see information below).
  • Cannot get another benefit (for example, unemployment or disability benefits) or if the benefit is too low.
  • Are not excluded from eligibility for welfare benefits (for example, because you are in prison).

* You are considered equal to a Dutch citizen if you come from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland. You are also assimilated if you have a valid residence permit or otherwise reside lawfully in the Netherlands (for example, if you are taking legal action against a rejection of your residence permit).

Applying for welfare benefits

Younger than 27?

Are you under the age of 27? Then go to the page for more information: Youth Assistance.

Are you 27 years old or older? Then follow the steps listed below:

Step 1: Gather information

Collect the following information from yourself as well as your household members (such as a partner, parents or children over 27):

  1. Your citizen service number (BSN)
  2. 2. Your DigiD login information. Don't have a DigiD log-in code? Then apply for one via DigiD request. 
  3. Data on:
    • Your income (your wages, tax refund, alimony)
    • your current benefits
    • Your living situation (amount of rent/mortgage)
    • your last employer or employment agency for which you work or worked and the start and end dates of the contract
    • BSN numbers and dates of birth of your partner and/or domestic partner
    • the income of your partner, if any
    • proof of registration with UWV of your partner, if any
    • your assets, these include:
      • savings and valuable assets, debts and balances in your bank accounts 
      • For IOAW benefit: details of your bank accounts

Step 2: Fill out application form

  1. Go to the Werk.nl website .
  2. Log in with your DigiD code. Is there a reason you cannot get a DigiD or submit a digital application? If so, call phone number 14 079.
  3. Go to the Benefit tab.
  4. Choose "Apply for Social Security or IOAW benefits.
  5. Enter your e-mail address and phone number. This will allow the municipality to reach you. For example, to make an appointment to discuss your application. Or because we need additional information to process the application. If we have the correct contact information from you, we can process your application faster.
  6. Complete the questions, including date. Sign the form with your digital signature and submit the form.
  7. After your application, you are automatically registered with the UWV as a job seeker. As long as you receive the benefit, you will remain registered as a job seeker.

Step 3: Interview at the Municipality of Zoetermeer

The municipality will send you an invitation for an initial interview within 7 days of receiving your application. We call this first interview a "Domain check interview. During the interview, the income director will go over your application and your personal situation with you. 

To the talk you take with you:

  • identity documents of you and possibly your partner
  • your Curriculum Vitae (CV)

During the conversation

During the interview, the income director will review your application and explain:

  • What a welfare benefit is.
  • What rights and obligations you have.
  • How the municipality can help you further (with various problems, such as debt).
  • Any information you have yet to send.

The income director assesses your eligibility for benefits. If not, the application is closed. If you do qualify for benefits, the income director will tell you how the application will proceed.  

After the interview

After the interview, you will receive an email telling you which income director will continue to process your application. The email will also tell you which supporting documents you need to submit and how soon. Usually this is within 5 working days. The sooner you submit all the documents, the sooner we can process your application.

If necessary, you will be invited for a second interview. We call this second interview the "intake interview. 

Advance

You can get an advance payment within no more than 4 weeks from the date of application. This is only possible if you have applied and do not have enough money to wait for the first payment of benefits. The advance payment is at least 90% of the benefit. You will continue to receive an advance every 4 weeks thereafter until the municipality has made a decision on whether you will receive benefits.

You cannot get an advance if:

  • When applying, it is already clear that you are not entitled to welfare benefits.
  • You do not provide all supporting documents.
  • You provide the supporting documents late.
  • You do not cooperate (enough) in processing your application.

What you need to know

Equity

Your equity includes, for example, your savings (and those of your minor children living with you), your car and a house for sale. Your own assets may not exceed a certain amount. For an overview of all asset limits, see the webpage Assistance standards or the government website.

Starting work again (reintegration)

An assistance benefit is a temporary solution. Its purpose is to get you back to earning enough money to live on. You are required to actively seek paid work or training.

After your application, you will be invited by Werkbedrijf de Binnenbaan. In this meeting, together you look at what help you need to get back to work. They will make a plan together with you. . That plan could be, for example, training, retraining or other assistance.

Are you offered a job? Then you usually have to accept it. This work may not necessarily match your knowledge and experience.

Are you not cooperating with reintegration? Are you misbehaving or committing fraud? Then your benefit may be reduced or stopped. In some cases, you must repay the benefit. You may also be fined.

Changes in your situation

Always report changes in your income/income and/or personal situation immediately. This will prevent you from accidentally committing fraud. More information can also be found at: Assistance, reporting changes. 

Income includes wages, AOW, alimony, tax refunds but also some gifts. For more information, see also Frequently Asked Questions on income support/benefit.

Are you moving?

  • You can only apply for assistance if you are registered in Zoetermeer.
  • Check that the correct address information is listed on Werk.nl in your work folder and your application form. Are these different from your new address? If so, contact the UWV to have them changed: Service & contact | UWV | Individuals.

How long will it take?

You will be notified within 8 weeks whether or not you will receive benefits. If we need additional supporting documents, it may take longer.

Objecting

If you disagree with the municipality's decision, you can object within 6 weeks.

Useful links