Special assistance

Which costs are for special assistance

For example, the costs for:

• a pair of glasses
• dentist
• a washing machine
• baby shower
• childcare
• to move house
• divorce (for example legal aid costs) 
• housing costs that exceed the rent allowance

There are many possibilities. You can always submit a request for special assistance. The municipality will look at each situation separately and decide whether or not you are entitled to special assistance.

No special assistance

You cannot apply for special assistance for:

• fines
• a passport or identity card
• child support for your children or ex-partner
• physical therapy and exercise therapy
• costs of damages suffered or inflicted, for example, fire damage or damage to your car
• premium for a voluntary WIA, Sickness Act or WW benefit
• voluntary deductible with health insurance / mandatory deductible
• a special, experimental medical treatment in the Netherlands or abroad. Which is not reimbursed through insurance or through the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz).
• medical expenses. (Check with your health insurance for this).
• Repayment of debts .
• relocation due to renovation
• living expenses
  • You can apply for housing benefit for a contribution towards high rent apply to the Tax Authorities.
  • Are you not receiving rent allowance? Then you may be eligible for Housing Allowance (even if you own a home).

Other possibilities

Before applying for special assistance, you should first see if there is another option (provision) where you can ask for help. For example, your health insurance or the Belastingdienst.

When can you apply for special assistance?

You can apply for special assistance if you:

• live in Zoetermeer.
• along with your partner and/or family members have a low income and not too many assets (e.g., savings or your own home).
• cannot recover the costs through another arrangement or insurance. For example (supplementary) health insurance or the Wmo (Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning).
• can prove the cost with proof of purchase or payment.

What amount will you receive?

Whether and, if so, how much special assistance you will receive depends on your income and assets. Do you have an income of more than 110% of the welfare level? Then you may be reimbursed for part of the costs and you must pay the rest yourself.

Referral needed?

You do not need a referral, but the costs must first be approved by the municipality. It is not possible to submit an invoice for special assistance if the costs have already been incurred.

You can submit an application for special assistance up to 3 months after the date stated on the invoice. Except for:

• moving expenses
• furnishing costs
• durable consumer goods (for example a refrigerator, washing machine or television)

For these costs you must submit the application before you incur the costs.

Calculate your entitlement

Through the website BerekenUwRecht you can find out which Zoetermeer arrangement you may be entitled to based on your income.

Individual income supplement

• Do you live in Zoetermeer?
• Are you 21 years or older, but have not yet reached retirement age?
• Have you had an income at 100% of the social assistance standard for 3 years or more?
• Do you have no insight into income improvement?
• Do you have no assets to take into account?

Then you may be eligible for an individual income supplement .

Step 1

First, carefully read all the information under 'What You Need to Know.' Do you think you are entitled to special assistance? Then fill in the form below.

Step 2

We ask for various attachments in the form. Make sure you have these ready digitally before filling out this form.

Check the overview below to see what applies to your situation and what documents you need to send. You must include your information. If you have a partner, you alse have to include their information. 

Income

• Copy of last received benefit or pension.
• Copy of pay slip from the last month.
• Copy of proof of other income (bank statement or document).

At rental house

• Copy of the rental agreement.
• Copy of the letter about the commitment of rent subsidy.
• Copy of proof of payment of rent (for example, a bank statement).
• Copy of proof of rent allowance (if applicable)

In case of subletting

• Copy of receipt of (sub)rent or fee contribution (bank statement or contract).

As house owner

• Evidence that shows the amounts you pay for/to your situation:
  • Copy of mortgage interest and repayment statement.
  • Copy of life insurance premium.
  • Copy of WOZ assessment (municipal tax).

In case of alimony

You pay alimony:

• Copy of proof of payment of child support (bank statement).
• Copy of letter from the Court containing the agreements about your divorce.

You receive alimony:

• Copy of receipt of child support (bank statement).
• Copy of letter from the Court containing the agreements about your divorce.

Tax Authorities

• Copy of provisional refund from the Belastingdienst (front and back).

Financial affairs

• Bank statements of your checking and/or savings accounts.
• Evidence of any debts.
• Evidence of the value of other assets such as: cash, bonds, savings certificates, securities, car, motorcycle, (static) caravan, purchased home, houseboat, caravan, gifts, antiques, jewellery.

When applying for costs of administration, guardianship or mentorship

• Copy of order from the Subdistrict Court Judge.
• Copy of the invoice.

When applying for legal aid costs

• Copy of the letter in which the Legal Aid Board awards subsidized mediation or legal aid.
• Copy of the lawyer's invoice.

When requesting costs for moving and/or renovation

• Specification of the costs (for example rental of a van/trailer, fuel costs and insurance costs).
• Copy of declaration of urgency.
• Copy of new rental agreement.
• Copy of old rental specification.

When applying for medical expenses

• Quotations. For example: for glasses or lenses, you send 3 price quotations from 3 different opticians.
• Copy of your health insurance policy.

Are you unable to send the attachments online?

Do you already receive social assistance? ⇒ Then send the attachments by post to your income manager. 

Do you not have an welfare benefit? ⇒ You will receive a letter asking you to still send the attachments by mail.

Step 3

Are you entitled to special assistance? And do you have all the attachments ready digitally? Then fill in the form: 

Apply for special assistance

Don't have a DigiD?

If so, please use the form below. You can download, print and fill out this form. Send the form, completed and with supporting documents to the municipality.

Form - Application for special assistance (pdf)

You will receive a message from the municipality within 8 weeks.

• Frequently asked questions on assistance/benefit