Income Test for Social Assistance Application in Utrecht: the rules explained
In Utrecht, in addition to your assets, your income plays a crucial role in the application for social assistance via the municipality. Learn how the Municipality of Utrecht assesses income and which sources affect your benefit.
How does the income assessment work in Utrecht?
The Municipality of Utrecht tests your actual available income over the past month upon application for social assistance. All income sources are included, such as wages from work in the region, benefits, alimony, and rental income from properties in Utrecht. Your partner's income is fully included if you live together, in accordance with the Participation Act, which is strictly applied in Utrecht.
Exceptions and deductions in the Utrecht social assistance scheme
- Holiday pay and end-of-year allowance: Deducted at 75%, as is customary in Utrecht calculations.
- Child-related budget: Completely disregarded in the test.
- Healthcare allowance and rent allowance: Not counted in the social assistance calculation in Utrecht.
- Periodic income: Evenly distributed over the year for a stable assessment.
For variable income, such as seasonal work in Utrecht hospitality or flexible jobs around the university, the municipality uses an estimate based on recent averages. You are obliged to report changes immediately to the Utrecht Work and Income desk; failure to report may lead to recovery and fines. Social assistance supplements up to the social minimum, which in Utrecht is aligned with household size and age, with extra attention to minima in the city.