Calculation of Income Limit at Assistance Level for Families

In Utrecht, the income limit at assistance level varies significantly depending on the family composition, as established by the Municipality of Utrecht in line with the Participation Act. For a single person, this amounts to €1,140.71 gross per month in 2024, but for a married couple without children, it rises to €1,711.07. Do you have children? Then an allowance per child applies: €308.34 for the first child and €218.94 for each subsequent child. These amounts are indexed annually based on the price index by the Ministry of SZW. In the calculation by the Utrecht municipality, the total household income is taken into account, including that of a partner. Exceptions apply to income from alimony or student financing, which are partially disregarded. The Municipality of Utrecht checks this via the Basic Register of Income and Asset Data, supplemented with local systems such as the Utrecht work square for benefit applications. Exceeding the norm leads to a reduction percentage: 100% of the excess is deducted up to 150% of the norm, after which 50%. Important for Utrecht residents: rent allowance and healthcare allowance are counted as fictitious income, which effectively lowers the limit, especially in a city with high living costs like Utrecht. For single parents with young children, the municipality sometimes offers a milder arrangement via the social domain, with extra attention to childcare allowance. Always consult the SVB calculation tool or the Utrecht Benefit Calculator on utrecht.nl for a personal simulation. Incorrect declaration can lead to recovery and fines up to €5,280. The Municipality of Utrecht emphasizes full transparency in the application to prevent problems, and offers support via the Wmo counter for vulnerable families.