Low-income citizens (students included) can apply for the energy bonus

The Dutch government has decided that low-income households across the Netherlands are entitled to receive a one-time energy benefit of 800 euros to relieve the impact of soaring energy prices.

The Gemeente Groningen has released important information for anyone interested in applying.

Any person whose monthly income during at least one month between January 1^st and June 1^st 2022 did not exceed 120% of the social assistance standard is eligible for the bonus. Here is the exact maximum income which qualifies you for the bonus, for different social groups:

The amounts above are net of taxes but include holiday allowance.

People without a permanent address, youth under 21, residents of mental health facilities, students who are entitled to student grants and people who do not have equivalent status to Dutch citizens are not entitled to the allowance.

Other allowances like the rent allowance (huurtoeslag), care allowance (zorgtoeslag), childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag), supplementary child benefit (kindgebonden budget), and child benefit (kinderbijslag) do not count in the calculation of monthly income for the purpose of the energy allowance.

There is still time to apply to the benefit for residents who qualify for it but haven’t automatically received it yet. The application process is quite simple, you just need a DigiD account, a statement showing one monthly income for the period from January 2022 to the end of May 2022 and a copy of a bank statement to confirm the account where the bonus shall be received. The Gemeente Groningen will try to assess each application in a maximum of eight weeks.

The Gemeente has also opened the possibility for people who are not entitled to the energy bonus but still need help with the high bills or who find the 800 euro amount insufficient to apply for special assistance in the matter.

Do you think you could be entitled to the bonus? You can apply here.

For more information, read here.