Once again harrowing situations threaten to arise, such as evictions, according to research by RTL Nieuws and Trouw. This concerns the first group of about three hundred parents who were previously recognized by the tax authorities as victims in the allowance affair and who were eligible for compensation of 30,000 euros.
This first group is now awaiting an assessment by the Actual Damage Commission (CWS). This external committee must advise the Benefits Service on compensation for additional material and immaterial damage. This was caused by job losses, evictions and an accumulation of debts. This happened after childcare benefits were discontinued and large amounts were recovered.
–
–
Fear of eviction
The 30,000 euros that the first group received as compensation is in many cases insufficient. It is expected that some of the more than 45,000 victims will report to the committee for compensation for the additional damage. Before the summer, the committee was expanded to include employees and lawyers, but the work of the CWS is still in the ‘construction phase’. So far 45 cases have been settled.
One of the parents who gets into trouble because of the waiting times is Chiara Walther. She is a recognized victim of the tax authorities. With the compensation she received she has paid off debts, but the mother with children is still not out of trouble. She received support from her environment. “If action is not taken in time, I will run into problems with the rent and I try to prevent that.”
Watch the video here:
–
–
“Why isn’t it resolved?”
Chiara: “I feel like I’ve been in a bad movie since 2018 when it all started. You weren’t believed – I found that humiliating. I suffer from stress, from anxiety attacks. I would finally like this book close, and move on with my life. The government knows my case. Why isn’t it resolved?”
Chiara received support from officials of the Recovery Benefits Implementation Organization (UHT). They find her situation distressing and urgent. These officials knocked on the door of the CWS to ask for a speedy solution, but were told the committee “didn’t feel like it.”
–
–
‘Cry for emergency’
Chiara’s lawyer, Pejman Salim, has now filed summary proceedings to demand an advance on the actual damages to prevent her from being evicted. Salim, who assists more victims, speaks of a ‘cry for help’ and a ‘failing mechanism’: “The State Secretary promised leniency and a solution for distressing cases. It is not being fulfilled.”
A spokesperson for the CWS says he cannot comment on individual cases and acknowledges that it is ‘very unfortunate’ for victims that they sometimes have to wait for months. The spokesperson bounces the ball back to the recovery operation of the Tax and Customs Administration UHT: “The CWS is not intended to solve matters such as an imminent eviction or other emergencies. The CWS was never established for that purpose, nor was it set up for that purpose. The Commission is there to assess the actual damage.”
–
–
High voltages
The CWS spokesperson says that the UHT can provide solutions itself: “People have the option of paying out money in urgent and distressing situations or supporting parents in municipalities when it comes to housing.” According to the committee, the provision of information by UHT to aggrieved parents is not yet going well, ‘including to people in whom the need is very high’.
Well-informed sources report to RTL Nieuws and Trouw that behind the scenes tensions are running high between the external committee and the Allowances service. Long-dormant annoyance has been discussed at the highest level. UHT accuses the committee of working at a snail’s pace, the committee blames the Allowances service for not complying with agreements, while the most basic facilities for the committee are barely in order.
–
–
‘Firefighting’
The bureaucratic struggle does not bring a solution for Chiara Walther any closer. After lawyer Salim sent out the summons, the tax authorities suddenly promised that a small amount would still be paid. “That is not a solution for my client and is completely unacceptable. It’s panic football. What is happening now amounts to ‘putting out fires’, but does not help parents. While for them irreversible consequences threaten.”
It is expected that the settlement of the damage from the allowances affair will take years. At the end of this month, State Secretary Van Huffelen (Supplements) will present a new progress report. Then it must become clear how the government wants to solve the problems, how private debts will still be taken over, and what solutions can be found for people who got into trouble with other allowances.
–
–
