De Unie, in your interest

Your work and income

Low income? You may be entitled to a supplement

April 07, 2023

Am I entitled to benefits?

If your income is too low to pay your healthcare costs or rent, you are eligible for a healthcare or housing allowance – perhaps both. The government transfers these allowances to millions of Dutch people every month. Below you can read exactly when you are entitled to one of these allowances and how high they are.

Join now De Unie. You can do that from €0!

 

In addition to rent and care benefits, there are other benefits. Consider, for example, childcare allowance or a child-related budget. In this blog we only discuss rent and healthcare benefits in more detail. If you have any questions about another surcharge, you can of course 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 are eligible for a healthcare allowance if your income does not exceed € 38.520 per year. Your assets may not exceed € 127.582.
  • Do you have an allowance partner? Then your joint income may not exceed € 48.224 per year and your joint assets may not exceed € 161.329.

Amount of the surcharge

The amount of healthcare allowance you receive depends on your family situation and income. Are you single and do you have an annual income of € 25.000 or less? Then you are entitled to the maximum healthcare allowance of € 154 per month. If you have an allowance partner and you jointly earn € 25.000 or less per year, you will receive € 265 per month in health care allowance. Above an annual income of € 25.000, 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) incomen 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 € 808,06. Are you and any other residents all under the age of 23? Then the rent may not exceed € 452,20.
  • To a certain income do you qualify for rent allowance – how high that may be depends on an extensive calculation. Your maximum capital has been determined: this may not exceed € 33.748. Do you have a allowance partner? Then your joint assets may not exceed € 67.496.
  • 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

The amount of your rent determines your entitlement to rent allowance. In 2023, the so-called maximum rent limit is € 808,06 – and € 452,20 if you and any other residents are younger than 23 years old. Do you receive housing allowance and is your rent raised above the rent limit? Then you retain the right to the same rent benefit: this is called an acquired right. You will not receive an extra allowance for the part of the rent above the rent limit.

For example, do you temporarily earn too much for rent benefit – so that it stops – but do you continue to live in the same home? Then you can claim the allowance again if you meet the conditions again. Your acquired right therefore remains valid.

Payment of your allowance

The Tax and Customs Administration pays out the healthcare and rent allowance on a monthly basis. These are advance payments. Does it turn out afterwards that your (joint) income or assets were higher or lower and the amount of your allowance was therefore incorrect? Then you will receive a supplementary payment or a part will be reclaimed. Report interim changes in your income, assets and family situation to the Tax and Customs Administration as soon as possible. This way you avoid having to pay back a lot at once.

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.

Related posts

Tax return 2024

Main tax changes 2024

Like every year, some important rules, amounts and other parts of our tax system will change in 2024, from the basic rate…

Become a member for free