“Money for life” – this is how the word leefgeld is literally translated, which is well known to Ukrainians who ended up in the Netherlands because of the war. One of the most important topics. What kind of allowance is due, to whom, when, will it be issued or transferred, canceled or not canceled at all? We have written about this more than once, but we cannot promise that this text will be the last on the topic of payments to Ukrainian refugees. The situation is changing, the government is taking new measures to provide social support to Ukrainians in the Netherlands. We will rely on information from official sources, which is known as of April 28, 2022.
- Payments are guaranteed for all arrivals: both adults and children
Currently in BRP (Netherlands Base) registered 45 persons displaced from Ukraine (source: BZK - Ministry of the Interior, April 24, 2022), with 31 people located in municipal accommodation centers and 782 people found shelter outside of municipal centers or RefugeeHomeNL. They are cared for by friends, family or "guest" families.
In the first few days after arrival, the Netherlands guarantees everyone the necessary minimum: Bed-Bad-Brood (“bed-bath-bread”). Often these are short-term placements in gyms or temporary shelters. In the future, people are taken in by families or placed in hotels, country holiday homes (vakanciepark) or even on moored ships. After receiving BSN for Ukrainians with a special status, the right to work is added to the right to shelter, food, medical care and education for children.
Before employment The Netherlands guarantees social benefits to those who arrive, the same leefgeld. Both adults and children will receive it.
- How much money is allocated for each
For every Ukrainian (both an adult and a child) who has received the status of temporary protection in the Netherlands, regardless of how he lives (in a guest family or in a municipal accommodation center), The Dutch government allocates 260 euros from the budget every month. Read more - on the government website.
This sum consists of two parts.
- Money for food - 205 euros per month.
- Money for "clothes" - 55 euros per month.
It is clear that “clothes” is a relative concept, and this includes “not food”. We also take into account the fact that until they get a job, refugees have the right not only to shelter, but also to free medical care.
Important: to receive benefitsleefgeld, must be registered with the municipality in BRP (The base of the inhabitants of the Netherlands).
- How much money will be paid
It depends on how you are staying: you live in a host family or live in a place that is provided by the municipality with service and food. Categories (types) of placement are important for understanding how much money you will receive. We already wrote about it, but once again, the government has clearly defined two categories:
- Gemeentelijke Opvang Oekraïners (GOO) - those Ukrainians who are given shelter by the municipality and placed in refugee camps, hotels, on ships, in country rest houses, gyms, etc.
- Particulière Opvang Oekraïners (POO) — Ukrainians who live in guest families.
For those who live in municipal accommodation centers (GOO), a portion of the benefit (“meal money”) may be withheld from the organization that takes care of your care and meals. But the part "for clothes" will be paid. The decision is made by the municipality. For those who live in host families (OOP) and must purchase food and cook for himself, the allowance will be paid in full. (See picture.)
- POO - 260 euros per month.
- GOO - from 55 euros per month.
We already wrotethat you can try to abandon the "state" food, even in municipal places of residence. Ask for advice from volunteers or directly to the municipality where you are registered.
- Additional payments
So-called woon component (housing allowance).
Important: This surcharge will be received only by those who live in guest families (POO).
With this payment, you can partially compensate for the expenses of the host family. In particular, the cost of utilities, which used to be expensive in the Netherlands, and due to the rejection of Russian gas, tariffs have almost tripled.
The amount of the housing allowance for an adult and a minor child will differ:
- Adult - 215 euros per month.
- Child - 55 euros per month.
A summary of the payouts is in our figure below.
- How money is paid
It is different in different municipalities: somewhere they pay the entire amount for the month at once, and somewhere in installments; someone is given cash, and somewhere they are waiting for refugees to open bank accounts in order to transfer benefits immediately there. Find out the details in your gemeente!
- How long will benefits be paid?
Until you get a paid job or change your place of residence. The benefit will stop being paid on the 1st of the following month.
