combating poverty in the netherlands martijn schut stimulansz
TRANSCRIPT
Combating poverty in the Netherlands
Martijn SchutStimulansz
Poverty in the Netherlands
• 11% living below the risk-of-poverty threshold = 60% of median income (Eurostat)
• One-parent households, non-western immigrants and people on benefits have higher risk
• 6,76% of all children (0-18) live in social assistance households
• 1 on 8 low income households has substantial job (+24h)
• 11% living below the risk-of-poverty threshold = 60% of median income (Eurostat)
• One-parent households, non-western immigrants and people on benefits have higher risk
• 6,76% of all children (0-18) live in social assistance households
• 1 on 8 low income households has substantial job (+24h)
National and local responsibilities
National government (general benefit levels):1. National insurance2. Employee insurance3. Social assistance4. Specific benefits and compensations for housing, health
care, children, work, etc.
Local authorities:• Administering social assistance• Tailormade benefits• Directing role
National government (general benefit levels):1. National insurance2. Employee insurance3. Social assistance4. Specific benefits and compensations for housing, health
care, children, work, etc.
Local authorities:• Administering social assistance• Tailormade benefits• Directing role
Administering social assistance
Work and Social Assistance Act: Local authorities receive 2 budgets
1. Benefit budget
Married couples receive 100% of net minimum wage (€ 1.143) Single parents 70% Single people 50%
2. Re-integration budget
Work and Social Assistance Act: Local authorities receive 2 budgets
1. Benefit budget
Married couples receive 100% of net minimum wage (€ 1.143) Single parents 70% Single people 50%
2. Re-integration budget
Local income support(in addition to basic income)
• Specific individual circumstances • Necessary• Costs are made• No other allowance of benefit• Mean-tested• No exclusion by source of income
Generic income support for certain categories:1. Longterm sick and disabled2. Elderly people3. Families with children
• Specific individual circumstances • Necessary• Costs are made• No other allowance of benefit• Mean-tested• No exclusion by source of income
Generic income support for certain categories:1. Longterm sick and disabled2. Elderly people3. Families with children
Local schemes
1. Tailor-made social assistance benefits (bijzondere bijstand)2. Discount cards to promote participation in socio-cultural
and sports activities3. Benefits for long term poor (langdurigheidstoeslag)4. Collective additional health insurance for social assistance
receivers5. Exemption from local rates6. Debt relief assistance
1. Tailor-made social assistance benefits (bijzondere bijstand)2. Discount cards to promote participation in socio-cultural
and sports activities3. Benefits for long term poor (langdurigheidstoeslag)4. Collective additional health insurance for social assistance
receivers5. Exemption from local rates6. Debt relief assistance
Discount cards
For the poorAnd sometimes for higher incomes
For the poorAnd sometimes for higher incomes
Debt relief assistanceand making ends meet
• Debt Repayment Act (Wsnp)• Relief of local debts if debtor finds or accepts a job• Bonus if debtor co-operates• Budget counselling
• Debt Repayment Act (Wsnp)• Relief of local debts if debtor finds or accepts a job• Bonus if debtor co-operates• Budget counselling
Under-utilisation of income support
• Lack of knowledge • Assuming you do not qualify• Complexity of procedures vs. profit• Shame and proudness
Working poor don’t know they are entitled
Combating under-utilisation
• www.berekenuwrecht.nl (calculate your benefits)• Benefit forms brigade• Using existing data• Simplifying procedures• Informing intermediaries• Income support through private funds
