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Applying for special social assistance

If you have a low income and it is impossible for you to pay exceptional and unexpected costs, you may be entitled to extra financial support from the municipality. This is called special social assistance (bijzondere bijstand).

Special social assistance is subject to the following conditions among others:

  • you are lawfully living and staying in the Netherlands.
  • you do not have enough income and funds to pay the costs yourself.
  • you are at least 18 years old.
  • you have expenses due to an exceptional or urgent situation, such as surgery or moving house.
  • you cannot cover the costs in any other way.;

Your municipality can tell you what other conditions apply in your situation.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:
Informatie:

Here is some information from your municipality.

Applying for special social assistance

You apply for special assistance before you incur costs. You may only apply afterwards if you really could not apply for it earlier. The invoice or bill may in any case not be older than three months.

You can apply for special assistance from the municipality of Arnhem if you:

  • live in the municipality of Arnhem.
  • incurred the costs in the Netherlands.

Good to know

In addition to the above conditions, it is useful to take the following into account:

  • We can only help with costs that are really necessary and that you therefore have to incur.
  • We look at your personal situation to assess whether you really cannot afford the extra costs.
  • You can also apply for special assistance if you have a (supplementary) pension, are employed or self-employed.
  • Special assistance is sometimes a gift and sometimes a loan that you pay off in instalments. It depends on the type of costs and your personal situation.

Include information with your application

Always enclose a copy of the invoice or bill for which you are requesting special assistance.

If you have never applied for special assistance before, the municipality of Arnhem will need additional information from you. Please enclose copies of the following information (if applicable):

  • a copy of valid proof of ID (passport, identity card or residence document)
  • most recent proof of income
  • bank statements from the last six weeks
  • most recent statement of any savings account or other assets
  • supporting documents or overview of any debts
  • healthcare allowance decision
  • health insurance policy
  • housing benefit decision
  • tenancy agreement and/or overview of the structure of the rent
  • child budget decision

Click here to find out if you are eligible for special assistance. You will be automatically directed to the application form.

Please note that it may take four to eight weeks for your application to be processed.

Questions about this topic?

Contact the Municipality of Arnhem

Last updated on 21 September 2022