Benefits & assistance

Where to start

Toeslagen are government allowances that cover part of your costs for health insurance, rent, children and childcare. They are paid by Dienst Toeslagen (a separate service of the Ministry of Finance); eligibility depends on income, assets and household.

1. Check what you qualify for. The main allowances: zorgtoeslag (health insurance), huurtoeslag (rent), kindgebonden budget (children) and kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare while parents work or study). Each has its own conditions.
2. Have your BSN and DigiD ready. Applications go online through Mijn toeslagen with DigiD; you need a BSN, your income details and, for huurtoeslag, a rental contract for an independent home.
3. Apply in time and report changes. Zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag and kindgebonden budget for a year can be requested up to and including 31 December of the following year (kinderopvangtoeslag: within 3 months). Changes in income, address or household affect the amount — report them at once to avoid repayments.
4. Do not mix them up with other payments. Kinderbijslag (child benefit) is paid separately by the SVB, and leefgeld for Ukrainians in municipal shelter by the gemeente. Their conditions and amounts differ — check the SVB and your gemeente.

Useful pages: Which toeslag applies to you · Toeslagen calculator · Survey 2026 — 2 minutes