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Municipal schemes for people with a low income

Each municipality supports low-income households. In this way, these households can make all real expenses. You can read more about municipal regulations here.

Special welfare

Special assistance is intended for special expenses that are not reimbursed through another scheme, for example, costs related to illness, moving house, or divorce.

Are you dealing with unexpectedly high costs? And can you not pay this from your payment of wages? Then you can apply for special assistance. Your municipality can then reimburse the costs for, for example, a layette, the extra costs for a meal provision or for administration. Whether you come for special assistance with expenses depends on your income and your assets.

 € 6295 is the ability to leave out of sight for a single person

Extend costs

If you want to come in for special assistance, then you must have actually incurred the costs of still making it. Some municipalities do not reimburse if the costs are incurred, so it is wise to check your results for reimbursement before you buy a product.

You may not be able to get the same costs back through another arrangement, provision of insurance such as your (supplementary) health insurance under the Social Support Act (Social Support Act). You must be able to pay the costs with proof of purchase. Contact your municipality to request special assistance.

In addition to special assistance, municipalities have other income support measures. These are slightly different in every municipality: municipalities are free to make their own arrangements and have different conditions and amounts. An overview is an overview of schemes that occur in many municipalities.

Individual income allowance

If you are 21 years old and have reached the state pension age and you can manage on a minimum income for a long time without the prospect of a higher income, you can enter the results for the individual income supplement. This is an annual fee. People with a low income from work are also entitled to this. The municipality determines to which income you are entitled to the allowance, how long you have been able to get by on this income (the so-called reference period, 3 of 5 years), and the amount of the allowance. The municipality assesses whether each household is entitled to this allowance. 

School fees

The municipality can provide a contribution to the indirect school costs of children for, for example, a school camp, school bag, bicycle or educational materials. Check with your municipality whether there is a reimbursement scheme or discount scheme. The municipality can also tell you exactly what this scheme entails and how you can ask questions about it.

Collective health insurances

Municipalities can offer residents with a low income group health insurance. It always concerns basic insurance plus supplementary insurance. The health insurer then offers a group discount. In addition, the municipality can provide a contribution to the premium. Municipalities can also work with municipal packages. You will be offered a more extensive package for the same premium.

Individual study allowance

The individual study allowance is intended for students from the age of 18 who are structurally unable to earn additional income in addition to their studies due to their medical limitations. This gives young people with a medical disability the opportunity to study and thus have a better chance of a job. The amount of the supplement and the criteria for arriving in advance differ per municipality and depend on the age of the student.

There is a net to equalize the study allowance in each municipality to about 300 euros per month. For many students with a medical disability, this means that their allowance will increase after the amendment of the law. The application and award will also be equalized. The implementation of the individual study allowance remains with the municipalities.

Arrangements for sports and cultural activities

Many municipalities have schemes that promote social participation. Think of participating in a course, music lessons or membership of a sports club. These schemes prevent people with a low income from ending up in social isolation.

Larger municipalities in particular often work with a city pass in this context. you will receive an immediate discount. Other municipalities have a declaration fund. You can then submit costs to your municipality, which can be paid by the up to a certain amount. Municipalities must (possibly with adjustments) of the costs have actually been incurred.

Tip: In many municipalities, families can receive temporary help from a food bank or clothing bank. You can register through an aid organization such as church social work or home care. Some municipalities have more of these types of banks. At a toy bank, parents with a small budget can obtain toys for their (grand)children, for example on presentation of a municipal card or via a referral from the social services. And there are also pet benches, which offer food and, for example, cat litter. Which banks are active per municipality.

Am I considering minimum schemes?

The municipality determines the conditions. These may differ per municipality and per scheme.

Municipalities above have an upper limit, for example 120 percent of the social assistance standard. If you have an income above this limit, you will not be included in the guidelines for minimum schemes.

A municipality can calculate the carrying capacity for special assistance. This is the amount that you have to pay yourself. If the costs for which you are requesting special assistance exceed your financial means, you will receive these reimbursements. It is therefore very possible that you agree with a paid job for an allowance. Sometimes it is compensation.

It is wise to check with the Social Services of your municipality whether you are eligible for compensation before you buy a product. The municipality application requests separately. Keep in mind that a municipality can ask for a personal contribution

For more information about special assistance, please contact Chater finance

Exercise your right

Not everyone who is entitled to municipal schemes makes use of this. Maybe this also applies to you. For example, because you do not know the scheme. Or because you assume that you are not entitled to it. You may be afraid of a procedure. Or do you think that others need the financial compensation more? You may miss out on money that you are entitled to.

Tip: Would you like to know which allowances you are entitled to? Calculate it easily on Calculate your entitlement. National schemes such as rent and health care allowance are also included in Calculate your entitlement.

Please note: Special assistance depends on your personal situation and is therefore not included in Calculate your entitlement. If you have unavoidable personal costs, ask your municipality whether you plan to be reimbursed.