Help and support (Wmo)

Being able to live independently is valuable for everyone and gives pleasure and freedom in daily life. But sometimes we no longer manage to do so entirely on our own. Fortunately, there are many aids that can help you continue to do as much as possible yourself. Find information about what is possible. For example, at your health insurance company. Or look on the internet, for example on the Zoetermeerwijzer.

Do you have a need for help with housing, transportation, housekeeping or self-reliance and are unable to find it yourself? Then you can report to the Wmo. Together we will then look at what support is best for you, so that you can remain as independent as possible and get help where it is really needed.

Principles of Wmo

  • We look at what you can still do. Your own capabilities are the focus.
  • What you can do yourself, we will not take from you.
  • Many things you can take care of yourself. Consider simple aids, such as wall braces, a shower stool, a walker or meal service.
  • For what you can no longer do, we arrange appropriate support. This may be practical help, guidance or a customized aid.
  • Where we can, we help you become fitter and more independent. For example, through coaching or training.
  • Are you sufficiently independent again? Then we will reduce the support step by step.

Help you can arrange for yourself

  • Minor modifications in your home, for example, a raised or lowered toilet. 
  • Simple assistive devices such as glasses, canes, walkers or wall braces.
  • Assistive devices that can be borrowed temporarily from a home care store such as bed risers, a postal chair, crutches or a shower chair.
  • A high/low bed. Check with your health insurance company for this.
  • A corset. You can buy this yourself. Do you have supplementary insurance? Then you may be reimbursed for part of the cost. Ask your health insurance company about this.
  • Orthotics/prostheses. You can buy these yourself. Do you have additional insurance? Then you may be reimbursed for part of the costs. Ask your health insurance company about this.
  • Rehabilitation. Contact your health insurance company for this.
  • Home nursing or personal care. Contact your health insurance company for this.
  • Medical expenses. You must pay these yourself. Do you have supplementary insurance? Then you may be reimbursed for part of the costs. Please contact your health insurance company.
  • Your health insurance deductible. You must pay this yourself.
  • Meals. You can arrange this yourself, for example through Apetito or Palet Welzijn. You can also look at the Zoetermeerwijzer | Meal provision.
  • Grocery shopping. You can have groceries delivered to your home or use a grocery delivery service. More information can be found on the website: Zoetermeerwijzer | grocery assistance.
  • Get a buddy. A buddy is a volunteer who helps you occasionally or has a chat with you. You can find more information on the website: Zoetermeerwijzer | buddy projects.
  • Help with administration and money matters. Guidance for keeping your records. And help if you are in debt. You can find more information at: Help with money matters and debts.
  • Personal alarms. Do you live independently and want to get help quickly in case of an emergency? Then you can use a personal alarm. This is a small alarm transmitter that you can wear around your neck or wrist. More information can be found on the website: Zoetermeerwijzer | Personenalarmering. Do you need a personal alarm for a medical reason? Please contact your health insurance company. More information can be found on the government website | Care and support at home.

Are you really unable to solve your problems yourself? Then you can ask the municipality to help. To do so, you must file a Wmo notification.

Arranging with the municipality

  • Household help. For cleaning in your home.
  • Residential Facilities. For adaptations in your home. For example, a stair elevator.
  • Wheelchair Facilities. For assistive devices such as a (children's) wheelchair.
  • Assistance with transportation. For short distances (mobility scooter) or longer distances (Regiotaxi).
  • Individual counseling. An attendant to help you be and stay more independent.
  • Day care. To make your days meaningful. Or to practice working.
  • Informal care support. Consider help and advice with caregiving, organizing care, temporarily transferring care and caring for yourself.
  • Short-term institutional stay. For people who are cared for at home by a family caregiver and cannot be home alone. The person needs 24-hour supervision and/or care. In short-term stay, a person stays in an institution for up to 72 hours a week, relieving the family caregiver for a while.
  • Protected and assisted living. This is living in a care facility. Or living with the help of care workers.

Step-by-step plan to apply for help or aid Wmo

 Applying for Wmo support is as follows:

Step 1 > Make Wmo notification

You can file a Wmo notification in 3 ways:

Personal plan writing

Are you making a Wmo notification? Then you can choose to write a personal plan. A personal plan explains what you can and cannot do and what you need help with. Please note! A personal plan is different from a plan for a personal budget.

Creating a personal plan is not mandatory. The pdf document below contains all the information for creating a personal plan. You may also choose to create your own personal plan.

Information for creating a personal plan (pdf)

Step 2 > Assessment of your report

We read your report and assess whether you can receive support. Sometimes we will ask you some more questions about your situation and/or physical condition for this purpose. If necessary, we may invite you to test your physical capabilities.

Wmo survey

If necessary, a home visit or telephone call follows. We discuss what you can do yourself and what you need help with. A family member or client supporter may also be present at this meeting.

The conversation will include:

  • Your personal situation.
  • Your request for help. 
  • What you can do yourself.
  • What people around you can do for you.

Research Report

You will receive a report and verify that it is consistent with what was discussed.

Step 3 > Wmo application

If you agree with the report, you can apply for Wmo support.

Decision by the municipality

You will receive a written decision stating what support you will receive. This will also include the contact information of the organization that will provide you with Wmo assistance (the provider) and the terms of the support.  

Start support

The provider will contact you to make further arrangements.

Step 4 > Paying for the aid or device

Own contribution

Once you have received the decision from the municipality, you must pay a fixed monthly co-payment. You can find the amount of this contribution on the CAK website. 

Personal budget

Are you getting help or an aid through the Wmo? You can get it in 2 ways:

  • Care in kind (Zin). You get help from a provider with whom the municipality has a contract. The provider will then contact you (as described above).
  • Personal Budget (PGB). You arrange everything yourself.

You also pay a personal contribution per month for a PGB. You can find more information on the page Personal budget and Care in kind.

Other information

You have help or an aid and you have a question about it

See who to contact with which question:

Ask your healthcare provider:

  • Complaints or questions about the assistance provided.
  • Replacing your help in case of illness or vacation.
  • The times your help comes.
  • Overview of assistance provided.
  • Your support plan.

Questions for the municipality

  • Change of your situation.
  • Extension of household assistance.
  • The quality of the help or aid provided.
  • Complaints about your provider.
  • Switching providers.

Cancel Wmo help or aid

When not using

Do you no longer need the device? Then you can cancel it yourself.

  • Fill in the form: Wmo assistance request or tool cancellation.
  • Please indicate what aid you have and why you want to cancel it.
  • You will receive a letter about discontinuing your aid.
  • If necessary, a staff member will contact you to make further arrangements.

When moving

Are you moving to another municipality? If so, you must inform us in time.

  • Contact the Wmo Department.
  • You will discuss with our staff member whether you may take or return the device.
  • Did you buy a device with a personal budget (PGB) or allowance? If so, you may have to repay part of the amount.

Moving from another municipality to Zoetermeer

Are you moving to Zoetermeer soon? And do you have help or an aid through the Wmo where you currently live? If so, you may be able to continue receiving this assistance (provision). More information can be found at: Wmo help or support when moving house. 

In the event of death

If the death is processed in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) then the right to the aid stops. The supplier of the aid contacts the next of kin. An appointment will be made to pick up the aid.

Do you, as a relative, still want to cancel the aid yourself in advance? Then please use the form: Wmo aid request or cancel aid.

Independent client support

Do you have questions about care, housing, work, education or parenting? An independent client supporter can think along with you. They know what help is available and know the laws and rules. They can also mediate in case of complaints and problems with the municipality or care providers.

For example, they can help you with:

  • Clarify your request for help.
  • Filing a complaint.
  • Seeking the right help.
  • Making an appointment or going with you to an appointment.

The client supporters work at Adviespunt Zorgbelang and not at the municipality or a health care provider. The client supporters listen, think with you and advise. They have a duty of confidentiality. The help is free of charge. Young people can also contact the client supporters.

For more information, visit the website of Adviespunt Zorgbelang.

Useful links

Policy