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:

Municipality of Stadskanaal

Here is some information from your municipality.

Applying for special social assistance

Please note: you can apply for bijzondere bijstand (special social assistance) only if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.

To receive special social assistance from the municipality, the following conditions apply:

You live in the municipality of Stadskanaal;
You are at least 18 years old;
You have the Dutch nationality or a valid residence permit;
The costs for which you seek special social assistance are special, unforeseen, necessary and aren't covered by another law or provision;
The costs for which you seek special social assistance are so high that you are unable to cover them from your own income. For some costs you should use your savings first;
You incurred the costs in the Netherlands.

Telephone the municipality

+31 599 631 631

Online form

Print the online form and fill it in. Send it to gemeente Stadskanaal, afdeling Maatschappelijke Zaken, Postbus 140, 9500 AC Stadskanaal.

The municipality will send you a letter within 8 weeks. It will state whether you will receive special social assistance and how much you will receive.