A Municipal Last-Resort Safety Net
Bijzondere bijstand (Special Assistance) is a crucial, discretionary financial safety net provided by local municipalities (gemeenten) in the Netherlands. It is not a regular income supplement. It is intended for necessary, specific, and unavoidable costs that a resident with a low income and no savings cannot possibly cover. For tenants, it can be a vital resource for overcoming exceptional, one-off housing-related financial barriers.
When Can a Tenant Apply?
A tenant can apply for bijzondere bijstand for housing costs that are not the regular, recurring monthly rent. The most common housing-related reasons for an application are:
- Security Deposit (
Waarborgsom): To cover the large upfront deposit required when moving into a new rental home.
- First Month's Rent (
Eerste maand huur): Often applied for at the same time as the deposit.
- Essential Furnishings (
Woninginrichting): To pay for basic, essential items like a bed, refrigerator, or washing machine, particularly for individuals moving out of a shelter or crisis situation with nothing.
- Unexpectedly High Utility Bills: In some exceptional cases, it may be granted to help with a sudden, unmanageably high annual utility settlement (
jaarafrekening).
The Strict Application Process
Accessing this fund is not easy. A tenant must formally apply to their municipality's social services department and undergo a strict means test. They must provide full disclosure of their income, assets, and debts. The municipality will assess whether the cost is truly necessary and unavoidable, and whether the applicant has exhausted all other possibilities. The assistance can be provided as a non-repayable grant or as an interest-free loan.