Social security benefits for young people

You can apply for social assistance benefits if you are over 18 and do not earn enough to make ends meet. These benefits provide you with an income until you find paid work (again) or no longer need them.

 
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There are a number of conditions you must meet;

  • You are a Dutch national or you hold a valid residence permit;
  • You are aged between 18 and 26;
  • You live in the municipality of Apeldoorn or Epe;
  • You do not have sufficient income or assets to support yourself. Please note: there are income and asset limits when applying for benefits;
  • You are not eligible for any other form of assistance or benefit (as you have sufficient income);
  • You are not in prison or a remand centre;
  • Young people under the age of 27 are not entitled to general social assistance if they are still able to attend mainstream education. The reason is that these young people are then entitled to student finance.

You may be entitled to a different type of benefit and need to apply for it through a different service. You should therefore first check whether – and how – you can apply for social assistance. This will happen automatically when you book an appointment online.

Please note! Are you aged between 16 and 18?

If you are aged between 16 and 18, you will not receive social security benefits. However, there may be other ways to get money. These depend on your circumstances.

Please send an email with your name and telephone number to jongerenloket@apeldoorn.nl. We’ll get in touch with you within one working day.

If you temporarily do not have enough income to make ends meet, you may be able to claim social security benefits. You can read below to find out how this works.

Applying for benefits involves a number of steps.

  1. Check
    First, you need to check whether you might be entitled to social security benefits. This happens automatically when you book an appointment online.
    Please use the ‘Book an appointment’ button above.
  2. Appointment
    Use the button above to book an appointment with a member of staff at the Youth Helpdesk. If there are other options available for your enquiry, you’ll find details of these there too.
  3. Conversation
    You will have two introductory interviews. During these, you will discuss your personal, financial, housing and living circumstances. These will determine whether you are eligible for benefits. Your circumstances will also determine the amount of the benefit. Do you have a partner? If so, you must both attend the interviews together.

Calculate your entitlement

It is a good idea to check before the appointment whether you are entitled to financial support under another scheme. You can do this on the website of Nibud. If you get stuck whilst filling in the form or have any questions, you can ask them during the first interview.

Want to know more?

Would you like to know more, or is your question not listed here? If so, please get in touch with us. Call 14 055 and ask for the Youth Helpdesk. You can also send an email to jongerenloket@apeldoorn.nl.

The amount of social assistance benefit depends on your age, your household situation and the number of adults aged 27 or over with whom you live at the same address. In the latter case, we refer to this as a cost-sharing standard.

View the amounts in the overview of social assistance rates.

During the interviews, you will discuss your personal, financial, housing and living circumstances. This will determine whether you are eligible for benefits. Your circumstances will also determine the amount of the benefit.

Please bring the following with you to your first interview:

  • A valid form of identification (not a driving licence) showing your Citizen Service Number (BSN). If you have an identity card or passport without a BSN, please also bring a document showing your BSN.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Your recent job applications (last 2 months)

Search time

Applying for benefits also involves certain obligations, such as the requirement to apply for jobs and the requirement to undertake training. This means that you must actively look for paid work or a training course yourself. You are expected to actively fulfil these obligations during the four-week search period before you receive benefits. You must also be able to demonstrate that you have done so.

Second interview

Following the initial interview, a second interview will take place after the four-week search period. During this interview, we will look more closely at your situation. We will discuss the results of your obligations. We will also let you know whether you are entitled to benefits and explain the next steps in the application process.

Please let us know 48 hours in advance. To do so, use the link in the appointment confirmation.

Please note: if you do not attend your appointment and do not cancel in good time, you run the risk of the notification date (the potential start date of your benefit) expiring. It will then take longer before you receive clarity regarding your benefit.

Are you married or in a civil partnership? If so, please come to the appointment together.

Is one of you unable to make it? If so, choose a time that suits you both. Are you unable to meet in person for medical reasons? If so, please call 14 055 to discuss your options.

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