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
Here is some information from your municipality.
Municipality of Zaanstad: Applying for special social assistance
Special assistance is compensation for extra costs that you have to incur due to special circumstances and that you cannot pay yourself. Special assistance can (partially) reimburse these costs. Special assistance must (if possible) be requested before the costs are incurred. Medical costs are only eligible for reimbursement from special assistance in a few cases. In order to be reimbursed as much as possible for medical costs, you can participate in collective health insurance.
Please note: you can apply for bijzondere bijstand (special social assistance) only if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.
A number of conditions apply to a benefit under the special assistance:
- In principle, your income may not exceed 110% of the standard applicable to you under the Participation Act. An explanation of the 110% income limit can be found in the link.
- If your income is higher than 110% of the standard that applies to you, your financial capacity will be taken into account (how much money can be lost each month without getting into financial problems). The financial capacity determines whether you have to pay part of the costs yourself and whether you will be reimbursed for part.
- It must be necessary expenditure. The purchase of durable consumer goods (such as a bed, TV, refrigerator) is not eligible for special assistance.
- The special assistance must be requested before the costs have been incurred
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. It will also state whether you will receive special welfare assistance in the form of a loan or non-repayable allowance.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Zaanstad