Cost-sharing standard
What is it?
The cost-sharing standard means that if you live with other adults, the municipality will adjust your social assistance benefits accordingly. The more adults living in your home, the lower your benefits will be. Not all housemates are taken into account for the cost-sharing standard.
The reason for the cost-sharing standard is that you have lower housing costs if more people live in your home. This is because you can share these costs.
How does it work?
Calculate social assistance with cost-sharing standard
Under the cost-sharing standard, the number of people living in your household is taken into account when determining the amount of your social assistance benefit. The more adults living in your household, the lower your benefit will be.
| Number of persons aged 21 or older in a household | Social assistance standard per person | Total social assistance standard if all persons receive social assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70% | 70% |
| 2 | 50% | 100% |
| 3 | 43,33% | 130% |
| 4 | 40% | 160% |
| 5 | 38% | 190% |
The cost-sharing standard also applies to households with more than five people. From January 1, 2023, the age limit will be raised to 27 years or older.
Exceptions to the cost-sharing standard
Not all housemates count toward the cost-sharing standard. Exceptions are:
- young people up to the age of 27;
- the person with whom you share a household, if no one else lives in the home;
- the commercial tenant/subtenant/boarder or the landlord/sublandlord/board provider who lives in the same dwelling;
- tenants with a commercial lease (and who pay a commercial rent);
- students enrolled in a program that may entitle them to student financing or a study cost allowance;
- students following a vocational training program (BBL students);
- displaced persons in crisis situations who are not themselves entitled to assistance under the Participation Act (applies provisionally until September 1, 2023).
Income and assets of housemates
Do you live with roommates and does the cost-sharing standard apply? In that case, your roommates' income and assets are not taken into account when determining your entitlement to social assistance.
Are you married and living with your partner? Or do you share a household with someone? If so, that person's income and assets will be taken into account when determining your entitlement to social assistance.
What should I do?
You do not need to do anything. Werkzaak Rivierenland will assess whether the cost-sharing standard applies to you.
How do I reach Werkzaak Rivierenland?
You can reach Werkzaak Rivierenland on working days by calling 088 9375 000. Do you have a question for your income advisor? Then call him or her directly during the telephone consultation hours.
You can find more information on the Werkzaak Rivierenland website at .
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.