Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Informal Care Allowance

Informal carers are indispensable to many residents of Apeldoorn. That is why Apeldoorn City Council is thanking informal carers through the informal care recognition scheme. Informal carers who meet the criteria will receive a €50 credit on their Apeldoorn City Card in 2026.

You are considered an informal carer if you provide unpaid care over a prolonged period to someone who is ill, has a disability or needs extra help. This could be your partner, child, parent, neighbour or friend. The care lasts for more than three months and amounts to at least 8 hours a week on average.

Yes, young carers are also recognised for the support they provide. This might involve looking after a family member, either on their own or with others.

• Young carers aged 18 and under will receive a gift voucher.
• Young carers aged between 18 and 23 can choose between a gift voucher or a €50 credit on their Stadspas.

Further information can be found at www.mantelzorgwaarderingdekap.nl.

The council does not keep a register of informal carers. As you receive support under the Social Support Act (Wmo), it is likely that someone is helping or supporting you. Do you know an informal carer who looks after someone in Apeldoorn? If so, please pass on this information. If you are not an informal carer and do not know of any informal carers, then you do not need to do anything.

You can Apply for informal carer recognition from 1 September to 30 November 2026 inclusive. Unfortunately, applications received after 30 November cannot be processed.

Yes. You can Apply for informal carer recognition if the person you are caring for lives in the municipality of Apeldoorn.

No. The Apeldoorn informal carer allowance is intended for informal carers of residents of the municipality of Apeldoorn. Does the person you are caring for live in a different municipality? If so, please contact that municipality. You may be able to apply for an informal carer allowance there.

No. Every informal carer is entitled to one informal care award per year.

Yes, that is allowed. For example, if you are helping someone with digital matters. The informal carer must, however, give their consent and meet the conditions of the scheme.

If you don’t have internet access or are having trouble submitting your application, please contact De Kap on 055 576 79 98. Please leave a message with your name and telephone number. A member of staff will call you back and help you with your application.

Many informal carers are applying for the informal care allowance. As a result, we’re receiving a lot of phone calls. If you leave a message, a member of staff will call you back and assist you further. If you have any questions about informal care or support, please call this number: 055 – 529 55 20.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation. If you have not received a confirmation, please contact Loyalty Group via 0320 411 356 or helpdesk@loyaltygroup.nl.

Are you eligible for the informal carer’s allowance? If so, you will receive your allowance in December 2026. Do you already have a Stadspas? If so, the amount will be credited to it. If you do not yet have a Stadspas, you will receive one at home. Please check carefully that your details are correct when you submit your application. Incorrect details may cause delays.

The Apeldoorn City Card is used for various municipal schemes, including the informal carer allowance. With the City Card, you can make payments or receive discounts at participating shops, clubs and organisations. Further information can be found at stadspas.apeldoorn.nl. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please call 055 – 204 32 96.

No. Do you already have a Stadspas? If so, the credit will be added to your existing Stadspas.

Yes. Do you already have a Stadspas? If so, you can use the credit as soon as it appears on your card. Are you applying for a Stadspas for the first time? If so, you will receive instructions at home on how to activate the card. Please note: you’ll need a valid email address to activate the Stadspas. The credit is valid from 1 December 2026 to 1 December 2027. After that, the credit will expire. Do you have any questions about using the Stadspas? Please call 055 – 204 32 96.

Apeldoorn City Council has asked De Kap to carry out the informal carer recognition scheme. De Kap supports informal carers in Apeldoorn and processes the applications on behalf of the council.

No. You do not need to register with De Kap to apply for the informal carer’s allowance. However, registering can be useful. You will then receive information about activities, support and news for informal carers.

Each local authority is free to decide for itself how it recognises informal carers. That is why the schemes and amounts vary from one local authority to another.

No. You do not need to declare the informal care allowance as income. The allowance does not affect your benefit.

Is your question not on this list? If so, please email mzw@dekap.nl. You can also call this number: 055 529 55 20

Do you have any questions about informal care, or could you do with some support? If so, please get in touch with De Kap.

E-mail: m.steunenberg@dekap.nl
Telephone: 055 529 55 20

Further information can be found at www.dekap.nl.

Do you have any questions about money, work, parenting, socialising or other everyday issues? Always check the Buurtwijzer first for support in your local area. If you’re still stuck, you can contact Together055 or by calling the following number: 055 580 11 40.

A care recipient is the person you are caring for. This could be someone who is ill, has a disability or needs long-term support.