Social Security - Minimum Income Guarantee

Minimum Income Guarantee - Beneficiaries and Conditions for Entitlement: 

The basic principle of the National Assistance Act (ABW) is that you should support yourself as far as possible. If you cannot do so and cannot claim under any other social provisions, you are entitled to claim national assistance. You are only entitled to assistance if you are legally resident in the Netherlands.

Entitlement to assistance carries with it a number of obligations. You and your partner must do your utmost to start supporting yourself again. This is why you have a duty to apply for work. If you make such a request, you must supply the necessary information to the body administering the system. You are also required to report any changes in your personal circumstances. Similarly, you are required to take part in activities that may help you return to the labour market. Examples are courses in applying for jobs, gaining job experience and participating in an integration course for foreign nationals. If you do not comply with these obligations, the Social Services will impose sanctions on you. Your benefits will be either reduced or suspended entirely until further notice.

On 1 April 2005, the 2005 Income Support Act came into effect. As a result of this law, the amounts of the benefits deducted from the gross minimum wage have changed, and an adjustment has been made to the calculation of the holiday allowance.

Social Assistance Benefit

Standard amounts for social assistance benefit as at 1 April 2005:

• Married persons or unmarried cohabiting persons, aged 21 - 65
  per month €1,099.24
  holiday allowance €50.59
  Total €1,149.83
• Lone parents
  per month €769.47
  holiday allowance €35.41
  Total €804.88
• Single persons
  per month €549.62
  holiday allowance €25.30
  Total €574.92

Persons aged 21 to 65

Maximum allowance for persons aged 21 to 65

• Lone parents and Single persons
  per month €219.85
  holiday allowance €10.12
  Total €229.97
• Married persons or unmarried cohabiting persons, both partners aged 65 or over
  per month €1,162.55
  holiday allowance €53.51
  Total €1 216.06
• One partner under 65 years of age
  per month €1,162.55
  holiday allowance €53.51
  Total €1,216.06
• Single persons
  per month €828.50
  holiday allowance €38.13
  Total €866.63
• Lone parents
  per month €1,043.48
  holiday allowance €48.03
  Total €1,091.51
• Married persons or unmarried cohabiting persons, both partners under 21 years of age
  per month €379.86
  holiday allowance €17.48
  Total €397.34
• One partner under 21 years of age
  per month €739.55
  holiday allowance €34.04
  Total €773.59
• Single persons
  per month €189.93
  holiday allowance €8.74
  Total €198.67

Persons under 21

For persons under 21 years of age with one or more children in their care, higher amounts are applicable

• Married persons or unmarried cohabiting persons, both partners under 21 years of age
  per month €599.71
  holiday allowance €27.60
  Total €627.31
• One partner under 21 years of age
  per month €959.40
  holiday allowance €44.16
  Total €1 003.56
• Lone parents
  per month €409.78
  holiday allowance €18.86
  Total €428.64
• Married persons
  per month €380.73
  holiday allowance €17.52
  Total €398.25

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
Reproduction is authorised.

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