In the Netherlands, many people have difficulty paying their healthcare costs or rent. If this is due to an income that is too low, you may be eligible for healthcare or housing allowance. You will receive this supplement from the government if you meet certain conditions. What are they, and how much exactly is your allowance? We focus on that in this article.
In addition to rent and healthcare allowance, there are other allowances. Consider, for example, childcare allowance or child-related budget. In this blog we will only discuss rent and healthcare allowance in more detail. Do you have questions about another allowance, such as childcare allowance or the child-related budget? Contact us.
Please note: in this blog several terms are used that may not be immediately clear. That is why we have included some links to the website of the Tax and Customs Administration, where these terms are explained.
health care allowance
All Dutch citizens must be able to pay for their health insurance. Does the level of your income make this impossible? Then you are entitled to a healthcare allowance. The lower your income, the higher the allowance.
When are you entitled to it?
Whether you are eligible for a health care allowance depends on your income and assets† For this it also matters whether you have a allowance partner have.
- Are you single? Then you will be eligible for a healthcare allowance in 2024 if your income in this year does not exceed € 37.496. Your assets may not exceed €2024 in 140.213.
- Do you have an allowance partner? Then your joint income in 2024 may not exceed €47.368 and your joint assets may not exceed €177.301.
Amount of the surcharge
How much healthcare allowance you receive depends on your family situation and income. Are you single and do you have an annual income of € 2024 or less in 26.500? Then you are entitled to the maximum healthcare allowance of € 123 per month. If you have an allowance partner and you jointly earn € 2024 or less in 26.500, you will together receive € 236 per month in healthcare allowance. Above an individual or joint annual income of € 26.500, the healthcare allowance is gradually phased out.
Wondering how much healthcare allowance you would receive? On the website of the Tax Authorities you will find the monthly allowance that matches your (joint) income and can you make a test calculation.
Rent allowance
If you are unable or unable to pay the rent for your home, you may be eligible for rent allowance. Whether and how much rent allowance you receive depends on your age, living situation, rent, income and assets.
When are you entitled to it?
There is a list of conditions which you must meet in order to be eligible for rent allowance. Below you will find some of them:
- Your rent may not exceed €2024 per month in 879,66 (rent limit). Are you and any other residents under the age of 23? Then the rent in 2024 may not exceed € 454,47 per month.
- To a certain income are you eligible for housing allowance – how high that may be depends on an extensive calculation. Your maximum capital has been determined: this may not exceed € 2024 in 36.952. Do you have a allowance partner? Then your joint assets in 2024 may not exceed € 73.904.
- You rent an independent living space. On the website of the Tax Authorities find out for which homes you can get rent benefit.
Amount of the surcharge
The amount of housing benefit you receive depends on various factors. That's why you can do the best make a test calculation on the website of the Tax Authorities.
Acquired right
Will you receive housing allowance and will your rent be increased above the rental limit? Then you retain the right to the same rental allowance: this is called an acquired right. You will not receive an additional allowance for the part of the rent above the rental limit.
Do you temporarily earn too much for housing allowance – which means it stops – but do you continue to live in the same home? You can then claim the allowance again if you meet the conditions again. Your acquired right therefore remains valid.
Payment of your allowance
The Tax Authorities pay out the healthcare and housing allowance monthly. These are advance payments. Does it later turn out that your (joint) income or assets were higher or lower and the amount of your allowance was therefore incorrect? You will then receive a supplementary payment or a portion will be reclaimed. Report any interim changes in your income, assets and family situation to the Tax Authorities as soon as possible. This way you avoid having to pay back a lot all at once. If the Tax Authorities do not pay a allowance automatically, you can apply for it yourself via www.taxdienst/toeslagen. For 2024 you can apply for an allowance until September 1, 2025 at the latest.
More information
Do you have questions about allowances, are you unsure whether you qualify or is there something wrong with your allowance? Please feel free to contact our Service Center. We are available every working day from 8.30 am to 17.00 pm via sc@unie.nl en 0345 851 963.
