The municipality of Groningen is encouraging households and individuals to see if they are eligible for the government’s low-income assistance package.
Households can apply online through the DigiD portal at dloket.groningen.nl, without having to go into the agency to apply. If you are not sure whether you are entitled to the benefit, or if you need help with your application, please visit the WIJ team in your neighbourhood. Individuals may also contact the municipality by phone to request further information
“We have expanded the aid package to include the residents who were left out of the previous rounds of energy assistance. We believe there are more people who are entitled to such help, so do not hesitate to apply,” said councillor Eelco Eikenaar.
The low-income energy aid package is a program that provides for a one-time payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. The applications for this assistance have been on-going since the beginning of November and will be accepted until December 31, 2022.
To be eligible for the benefit, a household must have income between 120% and 140% of the social assistance standard. This amount usually fluctuates between € 1,310.05 and €1,715.94 for a single person and between €1871.50 and €2,324.50 for a married couple, but the exact numbers can be found here.
Eligible applicants will receive a one-time payment of €600.
You cannot claim the energy-assistance benefit if you are:
- homeless or have no permanent address
- under 21 years of age
- a resident of a mental health institution
- a student who is entitled to student grant pursuant to the Dutch Student Finance Act 2000 (Wet studiefinanciering 2000).
The municipality strongly encourages families to take advantage of the new low-income energy assistance package to help them with their gas and electricity bills.
