Rules for assistance and help with work
The rules for social assistance and employment assistance are laid down in the Participation Act.
The Participation Act is designed to help more people find work, including people with disabilities. It is the municipality's responsibility to assist residents in this regard and to guide them toward paid employment.
In addition, the municipality helps people who have no or insufficient income because they are unable to find work. They can apply for Social assistance benefit from the municipality.
Participation Act in Balance
The Participation Act contains many strict rules. These rules do not always fit the situations as they are in real life. This makes it difficult for the municipality to help people in a personalized way with a solution that really suits them.
To improve this situation, the law is changing and new, simpler rules are being introduced. We call this change the Balanced Participation Act. The new rules make it easier for residents to get the help they need. This makes the Participation Act clearer, fairer, and more humane.
We began implementing these changes on January 1, 2026.
A few important changes
- Our colleagues will have more opportunities to look at your personal situation. This will enable the municipality to better assist you with income, work, or participating in society.
- Applying for and retaining Social assistance benefit easier. As a resident, you will, for example, need to resubmit documents less often. You will also be able to identify yourself with a valid European driver's license.
- The rules are becoming more flexible for people who provide informal care. Do you help someone in your community? Or do you do volunteer work?
From 2026, this will be taken into account more effectively. You will have more freedom to do this without it directly affecting your benefits. - Residents are given more freedom to decide for themselves how they participate in society, for example through volunteer work.
- From 2026 onwards, you will be allowed to receive €1,200 per year in gifts without this affecting your Social assistance benefit. A gift is something you receive for free, such as money, clothing, or groceries.
Do you receive more than €1,200 per year in gifts? If so, you must report this to us. - We no longer look at the assets you had when you applied, but at the assets you have now. Money you saved while receiving benefits does not count.
From 2026, these will be the maximum amounts of capital:- Single: €8,000
- Single parent: €16,000
- Married or cohabiting: €16,000
Please call us if you have any questions.
We cannot explain all the changes on this page. Would you like to know what the changes in the Participation Act mean for you? Please call the Work & Income department on 14 045. We will look at your situation together and discuss what the changes mean for you. We are available by phone on working days between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.