You can apply for special assistance if you have a low income and (unexpectedly) have to incur necessary special expenses that you cannot pay. Sometimes you can get (part of) the costs you incur reimbursed.

What you need to know

However, special assistance

For example, the cost of:

  • glasses
  • dentist
  • a washing machine
  • baby kit
  • childcare
  • move
  • divorce
  • some (medical) costs that you are not reimbursed by your health insurance policy
  • housing costs in excess of the housing allowance

Many things are possible. You may always apply for special assistance. The municipality looks at each situation individually and decides 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 voluntary WIA, Sickness Act or unemployment benefits.
  • Voluntary deductible in health insurance.
  • 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.
    • For an allowance in high rent, you can apply for rent allowance from the Tax Office.
    • Are you not receiving a rent allowance? Then you may be eligible for Woonkostentoeslag (even if you have an owner-occupied 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 IRS.

When can you apply for special assistance?

You can apply for special assistance if you:

  • Lives 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).
  • You cannot recover the costs through another scheme or insurance. For example (supplementary) health insurance or the Wmo (Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning).
  • You 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 social assistance level? Then you may be reimbursed for part of the costs and you must pay the rest yourself.

Need a referral?

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

You may send in an application for special assistance up to 3 months from the date shown on the bill. 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 expense.

Calculate your entitlement

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

Individual income supplement

  • Do you live in Zoetermeer?
  • Are you 21 or older but have not yet reached retirement age?
  • Have you had an income at 100% of the welfare standard for 3 years or more?
  • Do you have no prospect of income improvement?
  • Do you have no qualifying assets?

If so, you may be eligible for individual income supplement.

Request

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 several attachments in the form. Please have these ready digitally before completing 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 and that of your partner, if any. 

Income

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

At rental property

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

When subletting

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

At purchase house

  • Evidence showing for your situation the amounts you pay for/to:
    • Copy of mortgage interest and principal payments.
    • Copy of premium life insurance policy.
    • Copy of Woz decision (municipal tax).

In the case of alimony

You pay alimony:

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

You are receiving alimony:

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

Tax Office

  • Copy of provisional refund from the Internal Revenue Service (front and back).

Money Matters

  • Bank statements from your checking and/or savings accounts.
  • Evidence of any debts.
  • Evidence of the value of other property such as: cash, bonds, savings bonds, securities, car, motorcycle, (stationary) caravan, house for sale, houseboat, house trailer, donations, antiques, jewelry.

When applying for costs of administration, receivership or mentorship

  • Copy order from the Cantonal Court.
  • Copy of bill.

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 bill.

When requesting costs for moving and/or refurbishing

  • Specification of costs (e.g. van/trailer rental, fuel costs and insurance costs).
  • Copy of urgency statement.
  • Copy of new lease.
  • Copy of old rent statement.

When applying for medical expenses

  • Price quotes. For example: for glasses or lenses, send along 3x price quotes from 3 different opticians.
  • Copy of your health insurance policy.

Are you unable to attachments online?

Do you already have welfare benefits? ⇒ Then send the attachments by mail to your income director. 

Do you not have an assistance 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 attachments ready digitally? Then complete the form: 

Applying for special assistance

Don't have a DigiD?

Then use the Application for Special Assistance form (pdf) that you can download, print and fill out. Send the form, completed and with supporting documents to the municipality.

How long will it take?

You will be notified by the municipality within 8 weeks.

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