Assistance, benefits

An assistance benefit helps you as long as you do not have enough money to live on. If you do not have enough money to live on, you can apply for an assistance benefit from the municipality. With this benefit you pay, for example, your fixed expenses, groceries and clothing. The benefit stops when you have enough income.

When can you apply for benefits?

  • You are 18 years of age or older.
  • You are a Dutch citizen or equivalent*.
  • You live or reside in the Netherlands.
  • You have no or not enough income of your own.
  • You have no assets or you have assets below the maximum amount (see information under the heading equity).
  • You cannot get another benefit (for example, unemployment benefits or disability benefits) or if these benefits are too low.
  • You 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 of age or older? Then follow these steps:

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. 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)
    • benefits you are currently receiving
    • 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? Then call phone number 14 079.
     
  3. Go to the Benefit tab.
     
  4. Choose "Apply for Social Security or IOAW benefits.
     
  5. Please enter your e-mail address and phone number. This will allow the municipality to reach you and review your application more quickly. For example, we will contact you 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: After your application

Upon receipt of your application, we will contact you within 7 days. We may ask for additional information or additional documents for your application.

Have you not heard from us within 2 weeks? Please call us at telephone number 14 079 to make sure your application has arrived.

Step 4: Interview at the Municipality of Zoetermeer

An income director from the municipality will contact you to make an appointment for an intake interview. Are we unable to reach you? Then we will send the invitation by mail. 

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

The income director looks at whether you can get benefits. Is this not possible? Then the application will be closed. Can you receive benefits? Then the income director will tell you what happens next.  

After the interview

After the interview, you will be notified what information we still need from you and how soon. The sooner you submit all the documents, the sooner we can process your application. Are you unable to submit the requested information on time? Then contact the income director to ask if you can be given more time.

Advance

You can get an advance payment 4 weeks after you send in your 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 a work director at Werkbedrijf de Binnenbaan. In this meeting, together you look at what help you need to get back to work. The work director will make a plan of action together with you. That plan can 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? 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 failing to comply with the obligation to provide information. More information can also be found at: Relief, reporting changes. 

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

Are you moving to Zoetermeer?

More information on how to register at your new address in Zoetermeer see: relocating. Do you have any questions about this? If so, please call the public square department at 14 079. of the Municipality of Zoetermeer.

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