Soon after the municipality of Apeldoorn started paying living allowance, it became apparent that all kinds of undesirable situations arose. This applied not only to its own inhabitants, but also to Ukrainians. Mayor Ton Heerts: “We have seen that some people go to live together in private shelter, with host families. Then the amount can sometimes rise to 3000 euros per home.”
Not fair to assistance
“It is of course terrible what is happening in Ukraine, but we do not want discrimination. It must be fair and just to all residents,” explains Mayor Heerts.
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The municipality of Apeldoorn therefore decided to set a maximum on the portion of the living allowance that Ukrainians receive as housing allowance in private shelters.
In doing so, the municipality deviates from a regulation drawn up by the ministry and implemented by municipalities. Mayor Heerst says that he has reported their changes to the ministry. He hopes that his criticism will be taken into account in the evaluation of this scheme, which actually runs until 1 July.
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How does the living allowance work for Ukrainians?
Since April 1, Ukrainian refugees without work have the right to living allowance from the government. How much a refugee gets differs per situation:
- A Ukrainian refugee in the municipal shelter receives a maximum of 260 euros per month, for food, clothing and personal care.
- A refugee in private reception receives a little extra every month for any housing costs. In total, an adult Ukrainian refugee in private reception receives 475 euros per month.
What does Apeldoorn do differently?
The municipality of Apeldoorn has set a limit on the living allowance for housing costs in private shelters: instead of 215 euros per adult and 55 euros per child, the municipality gives a maximum of 500 euros per home address, regardless of the number of refugees received.
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‘not righteous’
The municipality of Apeldoorn is not alone in the opinion that the living allowance scheme is not fair to other residents of the Netherlands, such as people on benefits or social assistance.
More municipalities are struggling with the implementation of the living allowance scheme, says Thelma van Petersen, board member of Divosa. Divosa is the association of directors in the social domain, the municipal departments that are responsible for paying the living allowance. Van Petersen: “It seems that the reception of Ukrainians will really take longer, so a fairer arrangement must now be made, which can also be explained to other residents of the Netherlands.”
According to Divosa, it makes much more sense to organize it in such a way that it resembles schemes that already exist. Ukrainians, for example, could be covered by the assistance. Divosa director Van Petersen: “We understand that it is difficult to organize it properly, but something has to change because the law is now much too coarse.”
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Difference living money and social assistance
Municipalities therefore consider that the level of the living allowance is not fair to residents who have to live on benefits or social assistance in some cases. For comparison:
- A family (two adults and two children) receives social assistance: EUR 1559.58 per month
- A Ukrainian family of the same composition receives in private care: 1580 euros per month.
But the Ukrainian family – unlike the family on social assistance – does not have to pay fixed costs such as rent/mortgage and gas/water/electricity.
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Also unjust to Ukrainians
The municipality of Apeldoorn emphasizes not to skimp on living money, but to look for the human dimension. Mayor Heerts: “We want customization for everyone so that refugees can make ends meet by Dutch standards.”
Now it is the case that living allowance stops as soon as a Ukrainian refugee starts working. Even if it is only before 10 o’clock a week and that person can’t really get by.
The municipality of Apeldoorn thought that this was not correct and in those cases supplements the income of refugees with living allowance.
Extension until October
The living allowance scheme actually ran until July 1, but will be extended for a few more months anyway, until October. Divosa calls on the central government to provide clarity quickly. Director Thelma van Petersen: “Municipalities would like to know where they stand and are happy to think along with the government about a feasible and explainable living allowance scheme. We hope that our appeal will be listened to.”
The living allowance scheme falls under a broader emergency law in which much more is arranged around the reception of Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands, such as education and health care. According to Divosa, this also needs to be arranged better quickly.
Made under time pressure
The Ministry of Justice and Security says it is aware of the differences in contributions: “This arrangement was established in March of this year under great time pressure. At that time it was too complex and not feasible in the short term to, for example, decrease with an increase in the size of the household staying in the shelter.”
The ministry indicates that at the start of the scheme it was known that there would be a number of undesirable effects, but that they were considered acceptable.
The living allowance scheme and emergency law are currently being evaluated and may be amended at a later date. The ministry does indicate that municipalities are not allowed to simply adjust current policy, as in Apeldoorn: “Although the bottlenecks with regard to the amount are known, this is a legal task for mayors. A municipality can therefore not deviate independently.”
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