Schemes for low-income people

Are you unemployed and have little money to live on? If so, you may be eligible for benefits under the Participation Act. These benefits will help you cover your living expenses until you find a job again.

Requirements:

• You are 18 years of age or older;
• You do not receive a General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW) benefit. Is your AOW benefit lower than the minimum social assistance level? If so, you may be able to apply for a Supplementary Income for the Elderly (AIO) from the Social Insurance Bank (SVB);
• You are a Dutch citizen or a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, or you have a valid residence permit;
• You live or are staying in the municipality of Nuenen;
• You have no income or insufficient income;
• You have no assets, or your assets are below the maximum amount. For a single person, this is €8,000, and for a family or single parent, it is €16,000. Do you have more than €67,500 in equity in your home? In that case, you can receive the Social assistance benefit a loan;
• You are not eligible to receive other benefits, such as unemployment benefits or disability benefits;
• You are not excluded from eligibility for Social assistance benefit benefits. You are excluded if you are in prison, for example. 

Are you under the age of 27?

First, register as a job seeker on werk.nl. Then, submit your application using the municipality’s online form. The municipality will then contact you. After registering, you are generally required to look for work or a training program for 4 weeks before you can receive benefits.

Equity 

Assets include savings, an inheritance, or valuable possessions such as a car, a house, or a collection. Do you have any debts, such as a bank loan or an online store? These reduce your assets.

Advance

• You can apply for an advance payment after four weeks. This advance payment is 95 percent of the Social assistance benefit.
• If you Social assistance benefit , the advance payment will be deducted from your benefits;
• If you do not receive the Social assistance benefit benefit, you must repay the advance.

You will not receive an advance if:

• It is clear that you are not eligible for Social assistance benefit;
• You have not provided sufficient supporting documents, and this is your own fault.
• You provide the supporting documents late and that this is your own fault.
• You are insufficiently cooperative in the processing of your application.
• We have rejected your application.

Do you have any questions?

First, check the municipality’s website for information about social assistance. If your questions haven’t been answered, please contact the Work and Income Department at 040-263-1631.

More information and requests

Assistance

Do you have a low income and not enough money to cover necessary, one-time expenses? If so, you can apply for special assistance. This assistance is intended as a safety net for expenses that are not covered in any other way and for which no other programs exist. 

Examples of special assistance:

• Legal aid co-payment.
• Moving expenses.

You will not receive special assistance for items such as food, clothing, rent, or the purchase of a refrigerator or washing machine. Medical expenses are also not covered. Low-income individuals can enroll in a group health insurance plan through the health insurer VGZ.

Website:www.nuenen.nl-> Housing and Living -> Health, Youth, and Welfare -> Group Health Insurance

Requirements:

• You are over 18 years of age;
• Your income is less than 120% of the public assistance standard. The public assistance standard is €1,401.50 for single people and single parents, and for married couples or cohabiting partners
• €2,002.13 net per month. Under court-appointed administration, the income limit is 100%.
• If your income is higher, a cost-sharing percentage will be applied: 35% for medical expenses and 100% for non-medical expenses. This means that you will have to pay a portion of the costs yourself. The cost-sharing percentage depends on the type of expenses for which you are applying for special assistance;
• You do not have more savings or assets than is permitted for social assistance. Assets are the value of all your possessions minus your debts. The limit is €8,000 for a single person and €16,000 for single parents and married couples.
• The costs are necessary;
• These are expenses you don't normally incur;
• You will not be reimbursed for the cost anywhere else. 

Do you have any questions?

• To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation).
• For questions about Work and Income, please call the Municipality of Nuenen: 040 - 263 16 31

More information and requests

Special assistance

Have you been on a low income for a long time with no prospect of improvement? If so, you may be eligible for an individual income supplement.

The municipality determines the amount of the individual income supplement and pays it out once a year. You are free to spend the supplement as you wish. The supplement is €526 for a single person (parent) and €749 for married couples or cohabiting partners. An additional €72 is added per child.

Requirements:

• You are 21 years of age or older, but under retirement age;
• You have had a low income for the past 3 years. The municipality applies an asset limit of €8,000 for single individuals and €16,000 for single parents and married couples;
• You do not foresee any improvement in your income within the next 6 months;
• You have not received an individual income supplement in the past 12 months. 

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation)

More information and requests

Individual income supplement

The LEV group helps people with various questions about money matters. Do you recognize yourself in any of the following situations:

• You have overdue payments;
• You're short on money every month;
• You've lost track of your finances;

Staff members at the LEV Group can work with you to review your financial situation. They will help you determine which type of assistance is best for you. This assistance may include:

• Organizing paperwork
• Getting a clear picture of your income and expenses
• Budget Coaching
• A budget course
• Planning payment arrangements
• Debt Settlement

This support is free and available to all residents of the municipality of Nuenen. Debt counseling isn’t just for people who are behind on their payments. Even if you’re at risk of falling behind on your payments, you’re welcome to schedule a consultation.

You can register through the CMD (Center for Social Participation).

Social work

A social council member can assist you with financial and legal questions in various areas, such as: 

• What benefits am I eligible for?
• Problems at work
• Questions about housing
• Tax Matters
• Objection to a government decision

Social counselor work is carried out by the LEV Group.
You can apply through the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

 Would you like to be eligible for a full or partial waiver of property tax (occupancy portion), sewerage charges, and waste collection fees?

Requirements

• Your income is at or around the level of social assistance. The social assistance standard is €1,401.50 net per month for single individuals and single parents, and €2,002.13 net per month for married couples or cohabiting partners. These amounts apply from age 21 until retirement age.
• You have little or no savings.

To determine your eligibility for remission, the municipality looks at your:

• Power
• Income
• Vacation money
• Tax or allowance debts

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation)

Want to apply for a waiver?

To apply for a waiver, you must submit a request to the East Brabant Tax Cooperation (BSOB).www.bs-ob.nl -> waiver

To be eligible, you must complete the decision tree.

Are you unable to pay your municipal and water board tax bill? If so, apply for an exemption. BSOB will review your application based on your income, expenses, and assets. Exemptions are not available for business owners. 

Requirements:

Would you like to know if you are eligible for debt forgiveness?Takethe debt forgiveness check on the BSOB website: www.bs-ob.nl/kwijtschelding. 

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation)

Request

Requesting a waiver

You will need DigiD to do this.

Are you on a low income and having trouble paying for health insurance? The municipality offers group health insurance through VGZ.

Advantages:

• The municipality contributes to the cost of this health insurance;
• The health insurance company offers a discount;
• In many cases, the deductible and the copayment are covered by insurance;
• Comprehensive coverage, often with 100% reimbursement

Requirements:

• You are 18 years of age or older; Your assets do not exceed €8,000 if you are a single person;
• Your net worth does not exceed €16,000 if you are married, cohabiting, or living with a family;
• You have no outstanding payments with your current health insurance provider;
• You can switch to the municipal group health insurance plan at any time of the year if you are already insured with VGZ;
• You can switch to the collective health insurance of the municipality of Nuenen starting next January if you are insured with another health insurer.

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation)

Request

Collective health insurance

Are you facing high healthcare costs and having trouble paying them? If so, apply for compensation for the mandatory deductible under the Health Insurance Act.

Requirements:

• You are 18 years of age or older on the date of the application;
• You live in Nuenen;
• Your claim applies to the previous calendar year if the deductible has been fully used;
• Your income does not exceed 130% of the social assistance standard, and you have a chronic illness or disability. 
  The social assistance standard is €1,401.50 net per month for single individuals and single parents, and €2,002.13 net per month for married couples or cohabiting partners. These amounts apply to individuals aged 21 and older up to retirement age;
• You are not entitled to student loans.

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation)

Requesting compensation

Compensation deductible health insurance. You can also pick up the application form at the town hall, Jan van Schijnveltlaan 2 in Nuenen or at the CMD (Center for Social Participation), Berg 22 in Nuenen.

Individuals

Have you had a tax assessment and can't pay it on time? You may be able to get an extension or a payment plan.

Deferral of payment

You can request a 4-month payment deferral if you meet the following Requirements.

• This does not apply to a preliminary income tax assessment or a Health Insurance Act assessment that may be paid in installments;
• Your total outstanding tax debt is less than €20,000;
• You have not previously been granted a payment deferral because you were having payment difficulties;
• You have no outstanding assessments for which you have received a subpoena.

Payment scheme

If you have already been granted a 4-month extension of payment, the payment schedule will last for a maximum of 12 months from the date you were granted an extension.

Request

Call the tax phone 0800-05 43

Or download the "request payment arrangement" form at www.belastingdienst.nl

Entrepreneur or self-employed

Have you had an (additional tax) assessment and can't pay it on time? See if you meet the Requirements for deferred payment or a payment plan.

Deferral of payment

You can get a 4-month payment deferral if you meet the following condition:

• It is not a payment of a tax, such as VAT and payroll taxes. (Wait for the post-tax assessment for that).
• It is not a provisional income tax, health insurance law or corporate tax assessment, which may be paid in more installments.
• This is not a motor vehicle tax bill. (Please wait for the additional tax assessment notice.)
• You have always filed timely, accurate and complete tax returns of the tax(s) for which you want deferred payment.
• You have no outstanding assessments for which you have received a subpoena.
• You do not have an outstanding misdemeanor fine.
• You have not previously been granted a deferred payment due to payment problems or because of the offset against a tax refund.
• Your total outstanding tax debt is less than €20,000.

Payment scheme

Do you not meet the Requirements for 4 months of short extension? Or do you need more time to pay the assessment? Then you can apply for a payment plan. The payment schedule lasts up to 12 months.

Apply?

Call the tax phone 0800-05 43

Or download the "request payment arrangement" form at www.belastingdienst.nl

Individuals

As an individual, are you unable to pay your tax bill? Then you can ask for a waiver. Whether you are granted relief depends on your personal situation. It depends on your income, what you have to pay to others, what you own such as a car and how you live. It also depends on the type of tax debt you have.

Request

At www.belast ingdienst.nl, download the "request for remission of tax and/or premium for individuals" form.

Entrepreneurs

The tax authorities never grant debt forgiveness unilaterally. Debt forgiveness for business owners is only granted if you have reached a restructuring agreement with all your creditors regarding partial payment in exchange for debt forgiveness.

Are you a self-employed individual (ZZP’er) and are you currently in a debt restructuring program?
In that case, you do not need to apply for debt forgiveness. You will receive a payment deferral during this process. Have you fulfilled the obligations associated with this process? If the tax authority agrees, you will receive a waiver for the remainder of your (tax) debt. 

Request

Via www.belastingdienst.nl download the "request for remission of taxes and/or corporate contributions" form.

Do you have a low income and would you like to participate in social, cultural, and sports activities, such as joining a sports club? The Social Participation Subsidy Program offers financial assistance to people with low incomes.

Different Requirements apply to each program. Income and asset limits may vary. The social assistance benefit is not the same for everyone. The amount depends on your age and family situation. The social assistance standard is €1,401.50 net per month for single individuals and single parents, and €2,002.13 net per month for married couples or cohabiting partners. These amounts apply to individuals aged 21 to retirement age. 
The contribution amount is €150 per family member per year. Of this amount, up to €50 can be reimbursed for admission tickets to amusement parks, movie theaters, and so on.

Do you have one or more minor children (ages 0–18) and receive Social assistance benefit? If so, apply for the Social Participation Contribution Program through Stichting Leergeld. For more information, see the Stichting Leergeld program guidelines.

Eligible activities and facilities

Sports and recreation

• Swimming tickets, swimming subscriptions, swimming lessons.
• Membership in sports and hobby clubs.
• Sports recreation activities.
• Participation in fitness sports centers.

(Social) cultural activities

• Museum Card.
• Participation in courses and/or cultural activities.
• Library Membership.
• Participation in artistic or creative education.
• Music Education.
• Neighborhood or neighborhood association activities.
• Activities of elderly organizations and associations of the elderly.
• Participation in choirs, guilds and women's, music and carnival societies.
• Amusement parks and cinema attendance.
• Cultural performances (pop concerts, drama, dance cabaret).

Education

• Participation in courses and educational activities
• Participation in the orientation week
• Participation in nature and environmental education
• Admission tickets (reimbursement up to €50)

Requirements

• You are 18 years of age or older.
• Your income does not exceed 120% of the social assistance standard. For income that is higher, a 35% support percentage is applied.

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation)

Request

Social participation contribution scheme
 

Would you like to supplement your low income? If so, there are several nationwide benefits available. You can apply for the following allowances:

• Rental allowance.
• Care allowance.
• Child care subsidy.
• Child budget.

You can apply for these benefits until September 1 of the following year.
You must take into account your own income, that of your benefit partner, and that of any co-residents (for rent assistance). Your assets are also taken into account. Assets are the value of all your possessions minus your debts.

Rental allowance

Rent supplement helps you pay the rent on your home.

Requirements:

• You are over 18 years of age;
• Your income cannot be too high;
  The maximum income you are allowed to have depends on your rent, your age, and the composition of
  your household;
• You are renting a private living space.
  This means that the unit has its own lockable entrance door, a kitchen, and a toilet.
  Starting March 1, 2024, the unit must also have its own shower or bathroom.
• Please note: starting in 2026, there will no longer be a rent cap for eligibility for rental assistance. This means that more people will be eligible for rental assistance. In addition, service charges will no longer be included in the rent. Only the base rent counts toward rental assistance.

Care allowance

Healthcare allowance is a government subsidy to help cover the costs of mandatory health insurance. Are you over 18? If so, you are eligible for healthcare allowance. This applies to both single people and couples.
The lower your income, the higher the allowance you receive. 

Condition

In 2026, your income may not exceed €40,857 per year. 
Do you have a benefit partner? Together, your income in 2026 may not exceed €51,142 per year.
As of January 1, 2026, your assets may not exceed €146,011. Do you have a benefit partner?
Together, your assets may not exceed €184,633.
 

Childcare allowance

Child care subsidy helps parents with the cost of child care.

Does your child attend a registered daycare center, preschool (renamed “childcare” in 2018), or after-school care (BSO)? If so, you may be eligible to apply for the childcare allowance. This also applies if you live or work abroad. 

Requirements

• You receive child support or a foster care allowance for the child. Or you provide significant financial support for your child;
• The child center or host parent agency must be registered in the National Register. You can check this on the rijksoverheid website. Babysitting in a shopping center, for example, is not registered childcare.
• You have a written agreement with the childcare center or child care agency. This agreement must include certain details, such as the hourly rate for childcare and the number of childcare hours per year;
• You and your benefit partner are Dutch citizens or hold a valid residence permit;
• You are working, studying, or participating in a program to find work. Or you are required to take an integration course at a certified institution. This also applies to your benefit partner;
• You or your partner has a permanent indication from the Long-Term Health Act (Wlz). A condition is that the other parent is working or on a pathway to work.

Child budget

Do you have a low income and children under 18? Then you can get child budget.

Requirements

• You have one or more children under the age of 18. This could be your own child, a stepchild, an adopted child, or a foster child. Your child does not have to live with you;
• You or the other parent receives child support. If your child is 16 or 17 years old and neither you nor the other parent receives child support, you must contribute to your child’s living expenses;
• Your (combined) income is not too high. The income limit that applies to you depends on the number of children;
• Your (joint) assets are not too high.  

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation)

Request

Supplements
 

Do you have a low income and are your children unable to participate in activities? Stichting Leergeld can help. Stichting leergeld is for parents with children aged 4 to 18.

Stichting Leergeld Nuenen helps with:

• Stichting Leergeld Nuenen helps with:
• School (voluntary parental contributions are not reimbursed).
• Sports (membership fees, clothing, equipment).
• Culture (dues, clothing, equipment).
• Entrance tickets to the pool.
• A used laptop.
• A used or refurbished bicycle for children ages 6 and up.

Leergeld Nuenen also pays for:

• Up to one year of swimming lessons starting at age 6 to earn the A certificate.
• Entrance tickets to the pool.
• Membership for “De Kievit” playground (elementary school age).

Prerequisite:

• Your net household income in 2026 is less than €2,603 (for two-parent families) or less than €2,264 (for single-parent families);
• Or you are in debt restructuring.

Do you have any questions?

You can contact the Leergeld Nuenen Foundation by calling 06-25286545 or by email leergeld@onsnet.nu. The foundation is located at CMD (Center for Social Participation), Berg 22c, Nuenen.  

Apply?

Through the Leergeld Foundation.
Also visit www.leergeldnuenen.nl 

Don’t have enough money to send your child(ren) on vacation? The “
” Foundation, “The Forgotten Child,” organizes Heppie vacations and weekend getaways, among other things. These are also available for children growing up in difficult home situations.

Heppie Vacations & Weekends is for children ages 6 to 18. We also offer supervised family vacations. A Heppie weekend or vacation is all about having fun, playing, and relaxing in a group of peers.
Every child receives the attention they need and Health.
 

Other activities of Heppie:

Heppie Tour: a day trip to an amusement park or zoo with siblings and (foster) parents.

Heppie Box: a box full of surprises.

Heppie Events: a one-day event to have fun, discover talents, and gain new experiences.

Heppie in the Classroom: a free teaching resource for teachers to help students talk about their home lives.

Warm Welcome Bag: a bag filled with items such as a stuffed animal, a blanket, and a personalized card, given at birth.

Do you have any questions?

Contact the CMD (Center for Social Participation) for this.

Do you have any questions?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

Requesting a Heppie activity?

www.hetvergetenkind.nl -> Our Work & Our Impact -> Just Being a Child or through the CMD (Center for Social Participation).

Are your children growing up in poverty? Stichting Kinderhulp may be able to help you. The Children's Aid Foundation is there for all children ages 0 to 21.

What does Children's Aid do?

Children's Aid helps with items, which your children need. Think of a warm blanket, diapers or care products or a (safe) bed.

How can you get help?

You can only be referred to Children's Aid through a community organization. The CMD can help you with this.

Would you like to take advantage of child support?

To do so, contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

Do you have little money to buy toys for your children? Then you can get help from the Speelcadeau Foundation.

Speelcadeau collects good (used) toys throughout the year. This is given to children from families in the Eindhoven region who have little money. Nuenen is one of them. There are toys for children up to twelve years old.

Would you like to visit play gift?

You need a referral letter from a social worker. This can be your family doctor, school, GGD, Leergeld foundation. We will refer you to the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

Do you have little money to buy food or things? If so, in Nuenen you can go to the food bank or thrift store Het Goed.

Food Bank

Are you no longer able to make ends meet? Then you may qualify for a food package from the food bank.

If you qualify, you will receive a supplemental food package once a week that is good for 3 or 4 days. Your continued eligibility is reviewed several times a year. You can use the food bank for up to 3 years.

Prerequisite:

• You have too little money to live on.

Do you have questions or want to submit an application?

The food bank can be reached through the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

Thrift store

If you need cheap clothing or items you can visit Het Goed. This is a thrift store located at:

De Pinckart 12
5684 CC Nuenen
040-303 84 05

The store is open to everyone during business hours.

Clothing Bank

You may find that you no longer have the money to buy clothes for yourself and/or your children. In that case, we refer you to the clothing bank in Eindhoven. The Leergeld Foundation can arrange a referral for you twice a year. They do this during the early and late seasons. An appointment can then be made for you to come and select items. There are lists available there that specify what you can take.

Clothing can be tried on, but cannot be exchanged. 

The Leergeld Nuenen Foundation can be reached by phone at 06 25 28 65 45 or by email at leergeld@onsnet.nu.
The foundation is located atthe Center for Social Participation( ). 

Would you like to save on gas and light costs? The municipality of Nuenen helps you for free with people and resources to do so. In 4 steps, your home will receive materials that reduce the cost of gas and light.

A volunteer connected to the municipality will come to your home. The volunteer walks through the house with you and takes some measures in consultation with you. Think LED lights, draft strips, mailbox brushes and/or radiator foil.

Do you have any questions?

You can call the savings coach directly at 06-40 94 53 22 or Contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

Apply for energy benefits?

• You send an email to stroomversnelling@nuenen.nl.
• In the email, include your name, address and phone number.
• You can also call the municipality's savings coach directly. He can be reached at 06-40 94 53 22.

Do you want to take a trip but are short of funds? Or you are in a vulnerable position? Perhaps you are unable to participate independently in an activity for some other reason. The plus bus can help you!

The Plus Bus allows you to take trips on weekends and weekdays after 7:00 p.m.. These can be half-day or full-day trips, such as to a museum, zoo or an event. You can also take the Plusbus to the theater or a nearby restaurant. The trips take a maximum of 45 minutes one way.

Prerequisite:

• You live in Nuenen.
• You have a low income.
• You are in a vulnerable position.
• You have poor mobility.
• You cannot participate independently in any activity outside the home.

Would you like to use the plus bus?

Applications go through the LEVgroep Nuenen. You can contact the CMD(Center for Social Participation) for this.

Are you less mobile for a shorter or longer period of time and do not have any other means of transportation? Automaatje Nuenen may be able to help you.

Prerequisite:

• You live in Nuenen.
• You have reduced mobility for a shorter or longer period of time.
• You can no longer drive a car yourself.
• Public transportation is not a good alternative for you.
• You cannot regularly rely on people around you.

You first make an appointment for an intake interview. During this interview we will see if you fall into the target group. Then you can register as a participant.

Do you have any questions?

Contact us at 040-711 44 62 or by email info@automaatjenuenen.nl. Automaatje can also be reached through the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

Would you like to become a participant?

Then contact vending machine directly or apply through the CMD(Center for Social Participation).

Is a Christmas gift very welcome given your financial situation? You can apply by Nov. 7 to be considered.

Condition

• You live in Nuenen;
• Your income does not exceed 120% of the public assistance threshold.

Do you have any questions?

Read more at www.kerstpakkettennuenen.nl 

Apply?

You can request a Christmas gift basket by November 7 at aanmelding@kerstpakkettennuenen.nl. 

You mention:

1. Your name.
2. Your street and house number.
3. Your zip code.
4. Your phone number.
5. Your family consists of:
   • Number of family members aged 18 and older;
   • Number of family members/children under 18 years of age;
   • total number of family members is.

6. If this applies to you: you live by certain (religious) rules that affect your eating and drinking habits.

Please note that your data will only be used to deliver the Christmas package to your home in December. After that, your data will be deleted.

If you prefer to send or bring this form to us by mail, you can do so to Molvense Erven 105, 5672 HK in Nuenen.

Guided by their Christian beliefs, the Diaconate of the Holy Cross Parish and the Diaconate of the Protestant Congregation of Nuenen are ready to offer assistance to individuals, families, and groups in need of material and spiritual support. Where necessary, the Diaconates also refer people to professional help.

We maintain close ties with local social services. Sometimes people don’t know how to find the right agencies. Or sometimes they can no longer rely on general services. The Diaconates see it as their duty to support people in precisely those situations. We do this by offering a listening ear, helping to find solutions, and, on a limited scale, providing financial assistance.

Requirements

• You live in the municipality of Nuenen;
• Other agencies are unable or unwilling to help you any longer.
  In that case, you can always turn to one of the two church diaconates in Nuenen.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact:

•     Holy Cross Parish Diaconate: diaconie@parochienuenen.nl
• Diaconate of the Protestant Churches of Nuenen: diaconie@pgn-nuenen.nl 

Do you struggle every month to pay all your bills?
Do you prefer to leave your mail unopened because you’re afraid of a high bill? You’re not alone. This happens to more people than you think.

If you’re worried about money, you could use someone who believes in you and helps you. Someone who will work with you to get your finances back on track. Our Mentors do just that. For free and without judgment.

The trained volunteers at SchuldHulpMaatje Dommeldal are here to help you:

• If you don't know how to make ends meet.
• If you are at risk of facing financial difficulties.
• If you have debts. 

The first step? Talk about it! We’d love to hear your story. Contact SchuldHulpMaatje Dommeldal today.

• contact@dommeldal.schuldhulpmaatje.nl
• Phone: 06 1548 1950
• schuldhulpmaatje.nl/dommeldal