Applying for assistance for young people

Are you between 18 and 27 years old? Are you unemployed and not enrolled in any educational program? If so, you may be eligible Social assistance benefit young people. Before you receive social assistance, the municipality will first assess whether you are able to find work or enroll in an educational program within four weeks. In some cases, this is not necessary, and the municipality will process your application immediately. The municipality will always take your personal situation into account. 

Did you develop an illness or disability at a young age? And are you unable to work as a result? If so, you may be eligible for Wajong benefits. You can apply for these benefits at the UWV. 

The main Requirements of the Social assistance benefit for young people are:

• You are 18 years of age or older and under 27 years of age.
• You do not have enough money for living expenses. Do you live with 1 or more persons and share living expenses? Then the income and assets of these persons count.
• You can show that you have a basic knowledge of Dutch(level 1F). This means that you can write and understand short, easy texts.
• You accept the council's plan of action.
• You do your best to find work, for example by applying for jobs or taking a course if necessary.
• You do socially useful work if the municipality asks you to. 

Do you receive social assistance from the municipality of Heerlen?
Then, as of January 1, 2026, new rules will apply regarding gifts, assets, informal care, and identification.

Gifts: up to €1,200 per year

A gift is money that you receive and do not have to repay. You may receive €1,200 per year in gifts. This amount applies per person, including families with children under the age of 18.

Does someone pay for your groceries or health insurance? Then that also counts as a gift.

You only need to report gifts if you receive more than €1,200 per year. Keep track of this yourself and save the details.

Are you receiving more than €500 in a single payment? If so, it is wise to report this.
If you are unsure, please contact your income advisor.

Assets: only report if you exceed the limit

You only need to report an increase in your assets if you exceed the threshold.

The limit is:

• €8,000 for single persons
• €16,000 for single parents, married couples, and cohabiting couples

Your own home does not count.

Are you within €1,000 of the limit? Please contact us. We will then work with you to determine what this means.

More space for informal care

Do you provide or receive informal care? That is allowed. Be sure to discuss your situation with your income advisor.

Identification now easier

You can now also identify yourself with:

• DigiD
• a Dutch or European driver's license

You no longer always needMap show your passport orMap .

The municipality will decide on your application within 8 weeks. Is this not possible? Then the municipality may extend this period 1 time.

Do you disagree with the municipality's decision? Then you can file an objection. By doing so, you can explain why you disagree. You must object within 6 weeks. The municipality will then make a new decision.

Do you disagree with the new decision? Then you can ask the court whether the municipality has made the right decision. This is called 'appealing'. You must do this within six weeks. You can only appeal if you have lodged an objection.

More information can be found under: Filing an Objection.

What is the language requirement in welfare?

Information for young people with disabilities