Are you caring for someone in your life? Out of love or necessity? Then you might be a caregiver: someone who provides long-term, unpaid care for a family member, friend, or neighbour with a chronic illness, disability, or other care need. There are over five million caregivers in the Netherlands, and extra help can often mean a lot to them. Our partner, Senior Service, offers support that is specially tailored to caregivers.
Combining caregiving with work
Providing informal care is valuable, but it can also be intensive. Especially if you also have a job. Fortunately, many collective labour agreements contain arrangements to better combine work and care. Think of flexible working hours or possibilities to reorganise your work tasks. Therefore, always check your employment conditions to see what applies to you.
Arrangements and allowances for informal carers
Although there is no general compensation for informal caregiving, you can often make use of specific arrangements. Here are some options:
- Support from the council Some local authorities offer travel cost reimbursements or parking permits to informal carers. Enquire with your local authority about the possibilities.
- OV Assistant Card Can you not travel independently by public transport? With Argonaut, you can Apply for a Public Transport Supervisor Card, so you don't have to bear the public transport costs of your supervisor.
- Extra child benefit Do you have a child living at home who requires intensive care? Through the Sociale Verzekeringsbank, you may be able to apply for extra child benefit.
- Supplementary health insurance Check the terms and conditions of your health insurance policy. Some insurers offer additional benefits for informal caregiver support.
- Personal budget A PGB can be used to organise care, including a reimbursement for informal care. Enquire about this with your local council or health insurer. We refer you for this to the website of rijksoverheid.nl: Where do I apply for a personal budget?
Senior Service Assistance
De Unie works in partnership with Senior Service, the leading informal care organisation in the Netherlands. They provide support and care to enable people to live at home for longer, addressing both the practical and financial aspects of care. Senior Service provides expert staff who help you, your parents or other loved ones with day-to-day living.
Member benefit
As a member of De Unie, you can apply for a free membership with Senior Service. This gives you access to additional support and advice on informal caregiving.
Want to know more?
Read more about the caregiver assistance of Senior Service. And do you have any questions about the member benefit? Please contact us. Our Service Centre is available every weekday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM via sc@unie.nl and 0345 851 963.
