Apply for special assistance

Special assistance is a sum of money to pay for unexpected expenses. The municipality can provide special assistance as a gift or as a loan.

We would therefore like to ask you a few questions:

• Will you soon have enough money to pay the costs yourself?
• Could you have prevented the need for special assistance?
• Do you require special assistance for a security deposit?
• Have you not saved up for durable consumer goods, such as a refrigerator or washing machine?

We look at your income and assets, among other things, to assess your entitlement to special assistance. For special assistance, the social minimum is slightly higher than the social assistance standard that applies to you. We use a higher amount so that people with an income slightly above the social minimum can still be eligible for reimbursement of special necessary costs. You can read below how high your income and assets may be. To be eligible for special assistance, we also look at whether the costs are necessary and whether you could have saved for these costs. 

What income limits apply to financial capacity?

If your net income (including vacation pay) per month is less than 120% of the social assistance standard, you have no financial capacity from income. We deduct any income above that amount from the compensation you receive. For debt management costs, the income limit is 100% of the social assistance standard.
You can find the social assistance standards at rijksoverheid.nl.

For energy costs, we are raising the income threshold to 130% of the social assistance standard.

What are the applicable asset limits?

We also deduct any assets above a certain amount from the reimbursement of costs. By assets, we mean: possessions and/or debts.

We will release the following amounts:

• Single person €7,575.00
• Single parent €15,150.00
• Married couples/cohabiting couples €15,150.00

Threshold amount

A threshold amount of €50 applies to a number of costs. This means that you will not be reimbursed for the first €50 per year. If you receive continuous special assistance, we will deduct €50 each year. 

The municipality will make a decision within eight weeks of receiving your application. The municipality may extend this period once.

You can appeal the decision on your application within 6 weeks. The decision will explain how you can do this. 

Calculate your entitlement to benefits in Heerlen

More information about the level of social assistance standards at Rijksoverheid.nl

Information about special assistance