Refugees receive a monthly living allowance for the period during which they are staying in the Netherlands and are unable to support themselves. Any adult refugee aged 18 or over can apply for the living allowance. Married couples must both submit an application. Refugees who are in employment may not be entitled to the living allowance.
If you apply for a living allowance, we will make a decision within two weeks. The money will then be paid into your account within a week. So please wait three weeks; if you haven’t heard anything by then, please email leefgeld@apeldoorn.nl.
Refugees receive a living allowance. The amount depends on their personal circumstances. It consists of several components and is paid once a month.
If refugees earn money by working, this affects the amount of their living allowance. We determine whether someone is eligible for a living allowance and how much they will receive based on their income. Child benefit and the child-related budget are also taken into account.
Information on the levels of living allowances, benefits and working in the Netherlands can be found on the central government’s website.
Go to the Government website, ‘Work and income’
In order to receive a living allowance, refugees must first register at our local authority. The application form for the living allowance must be completed using the Dutch alphabet. This means Dutch letters, not Cyrillic letters. The local authority assesses the application and determines the amount of the living allowance for the refugee. The living allowance is paid on a monthly basis.
Refugees do not need to come to the town hall. They can email the completed application form to leefgeld@apeldoorn.nl or send by post to:
Municipality of Apeldoorn
For the attention of RBB
Freepost 56
7300 WB Apeldoorn
You don’t need a stamp.
From 1 October 2024, residents of the municipal accommodation centres in Apeldoorn will pay a monthly personal contribution. This applies to adults (aged 18 and over) who have an income, for example because they are in work or receive benefits.
Go to the Government website ‘Personal contribution’
You are required to provide the local authority with information and details of any changes regarding your employment and family circumstances, such as:
You must report any changes to your income as soon as possible by completing the income form.
In order to receive a living allowance, refugees need their own bank account. Bank accounts are not arranged by the local authority. Refugees can open a bank account at any bank in the Netherlands. If documents from Ukraine need to be legalised for use in the Netherlands in order to open a bank account, please visit the following website for further information: The Netherlands Worldwide.
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