Social assistance: income, assets, own home

What is it?

General assistance is available if you do not have enough money to cover your living expenses. Special assistance is a contribution towards special costs that you are unable to pay due to special circumstances.

Assistance in case of insufficient income

Do you not have sufficient income or assets to cover your living expenses? Then you are entitled to supplementary social assistance benefits. You have insufficient income if your (combined) income is lower than the social minimum that applies to you: the social assistance standard.

Are you married or cohabiting, or do you share a household with someone else? In that case, your and your partner's joint income and joint assets will be taken into account. The municipality will supplement your (joint) income up to the social assistance standard that applies to you jointly.

No assistance if you have too much wealth

Your municipality will also check whether your financial assets exceed the limit set by social assistance. If you have too many assets, you will not be entitled to social assistance.

An example of assets is savings. The municipality calculates your assets based on your and your family's bank details, and also takes into account any valuable possessions, with the exception of your own home. Do you have debts? Then the municipality will deduct those debts from your assets, reducing your net worth. The condition is that you can prove that you have to repay those debts. This does not apply to student loans or debts that you can repay later, such as debts to family members.

Do you have more assets than the maximum amount allowed to still receive social assistance (the legal limit)? Then you can use these assets to support yourself. You are not entitled to social assistance until you have spent the assets that exceed the limit. The maximum amount of assets you are allowed to have depends on your living situation.

Assistance income limit 2023
Living situation	Maximum power
Joint household	€ 15.210
Single parent	€ 15.210
Single	€ 7.605

Social assistance and a home of your own

Owning your own home does not prevent you from receiving social assistance. Your home is part of your assets. Your municipality will assess how much equity you have in your home in a separate means test. It will look at the surplus value of your home. This is the current value of your home minus the outstanding mortgage.

In addition, the value of a second home or vacation home (in the United States or abroad) is also taken into account when determining your assets.

What should I do?

You do not need to do anything. Werkzaak Rivierenland will determine your income and/or assets when you submit your application.

Additional information

Information and advice

For information, advice, and support, please contact VraagWijzer West Maas en Waal.

Van Heemstraweg 50
6658 KH Beneden-Leeuwen
0487 790 790 (available 24/7)
info@vraagwijzerwmw.nl
www.westmaasenwaal.nl/vraagwijzer
Telephone opening hours

Apply for assistance

You can apply for assistance at Werkzaak Rivierenland.

You can reach Werkzaak Rivierenland by calling 088 9375 000, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please send mail to PO Box 321, 4190 CH Geldermalsen, or email info@werkzaakrivierenland.nl.

How can I get help with money problems?

Many people feel guilty or ashamed when they cannot pay their bills (on time) or are in debt. But did you know that this is much more common than you might think? Anyone can find themselves in financial difficulty. Setbacks such as unemployment, illness, or divorce can cause people to get into trouble.

Are you worried about your financial situation? Having trouble paying all your bills on time? The first step is to seek help. For example, you can contact the organization that sent you the bill. Perhaps you can arrange a payment plan.

For information and questions about financial matters and debts, please contact VraagWijzer West Maas en Waal. For help with managing your finances, you can also contact the Sociom welfare organization.