Participation Act: minimum schemes overview for Utrecht
In Utrecht, the Participation Act includes various minimum schemes such as social assistance, allowances and exemptions on municipal taxes. Specific overview for Utrecht residents with extra support alongside emergency compensations.
Main schemes in Utrecht
The Participation Act provides social assistance and special assistance for those on low incomes in Utrecht. In addition to individual emergency compensations, there are local options such as the income supplement for households below the social assistance norm, contribution for exceptional costs (e.g. for diet, medical travel or childcare costs) and tax reduction on municipal levies.
- OZB Exemption Utrecht: Up to 100% remission of property tax for those on low incomes, to be applied for via the Work and Income Service Point.
- Collective schemes Utrecht: Free or reduced access to swimming lessons via SportUtrecht, the Utrecht Pas with benefits for museums such as the Centraal Museum, and discount on public transport subscriptions.
- Travel cost reimbursement: Specific reimbursement for job seekers in Utrecht, including bicycle repair or public transport reimbursement to job interviews.
Access and application in Utrecht
Consult the municipality of Utrecht website (utrecht.nl) or the digital counter for current local variants and conditions. With a social assistance benefit, automatic granting of many schemes is possible via the Work and Income Team. These measures contribute to poverty alleviation in Utrecht, with a focus on the Utrecht work guide and broader support for vulnerable groups such as single-parent families in Kanaleneiland or Overvecht.