From Welfare to Work

Are you receiving Social assistance benefit from our municipality? If so, you must do everything you can to find work. Social assistance is only a temporary safety net. Work always takes precedence over benefits. If you can work somewhere, you must accept the job. The job does not have to match your education, experience, or preferences. You must also accept temporary employment, part-time work, or work through a staffing agency. However, the work must be suitable for your capacity to work. These obligations are set forth in the Participation Act.

Reintegration Support

Are you unable to find work on your own, or are you not (yet) able to work? If so, the municipality can help you improve your chances of finding a job. Your municipal employment counselor will assess what is needed. Please note: Participating in the support offered by the municipality is not optional. If you are receiving social assistance, you are required to participate.

Exemption from Obligations

If you are receiving welfare benefits, you are required to actively look for work. There may be circumstances under which this requirement is temporarily waived. Your employment counselor may decide to temporarily exempt you from the work requirement. However, the reintegration requirement will still apply. Only if you can demonstrate that you are permanently and fully unable to work will this requirement also be waived. You will only be exempt from the work requirement after receiving a decision to that effect.

Volunteer

Are you receiving Social assistance benefit interested in volunteering? You can contact your local municipality or the volunteer job board at . They can refer you to organizations where you can do approved volunteer work. Or you can look for opportunities on your own. Once you’ve found a volunteer opportunity, contact your case worker at the municipality. The municipality will then determine whether the volunteer work can be approved. Your volunteer work must not interfere with your efforts to find a paid job.

What can you expect from the municipality if you start working (part-time)?

Child Care

If you have young children to care for, the Tax and Customs Administration and the municipality will cover the costs of your children’s childcare. You apply for the childcare allowance through the Tax and Customs Administration. You are eligible for this if you are working or participating in a job-training program. The municipality reimburses the remaining childcare costs, excluding a set copayment. This is available as long as you are receiving benefits from the municipality.

Income Exemption

If you receive income, your benefits will be reduced. If you find a part-time job and this work contributes to your reintegration into the workforce, the municipality may exempt a portion of your income. This means you’ll have more money left over from your benefits each month for six months. Check with your employment counselor to see if you’re eligible.

Exit Bonus

Have you Social assistance benefit for 12 months and have you been working for 6 months now? If so, you may be eligible for a one-time payment of €500. Ask your employment counselor about the Requirements .

Requirements 

You can apply for a severance payment if you:

  • You are 27 years of age or older and have received benefits from the municipality for at least 12 consecutive months;
  • and, as a result of having a job, has not needed benefits for at least 6 months.

Young people up to age 27 are also eligible for a transition bonus. This applies if, with the help of a wage subsidy, they make a sustainable (partial) transition out of the Participation Act. 

When should you apply for the premium?

Apply for the exit bonus between 7 and 12 months after your benefits stopped due to income from work.