Social assistance standards

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The bijstandsnorm (social assistance standard) determines how much bijstand (social assistance) you can get. Likewise, if you apply for certain allowances or benefits – for example for energy costs – the bijstandsnorm determines whether you can get money and how much. We often refer to incomes up to 120 or 130 per cent of the bijstandsnorm or the social minimum. The overview below shows whether your income is equal to or below the bijstandsnorm/social minimum.

The amounts apply to 2023. The amounts are after tax deductions (net) and without holiday pay.

Your situation	Pension entitlement	100 per cent of the social assistance standard	120 per cent of the social assistance standard	130 per cent of the social assistance standard
You are married of living together and are over 18 years of age	You are both not yet entitled to a pension	€ 1,622.68	€ 1,947.22	€ 2,109.48
	At least 1 person is entitled to a pension	€ 1,716.84	€ 2,060.21	€ 2,231.89

You are single or a single parent and are over 18 years of age	You are not entitled to a pension yet	€ 1,135.88	€ 1,363.06	€ 1,476.64
	You are entitled to a pension	€ 1,264.14	€ 1,516.97	€ 1,643.38

Allowances, schemes and benefits usually apply to people from 21 years of age. Parents have a duty to raise and care for their children. Even for a child aged 18 to 21, parents should pay for costs such as food, housing (living expenses) and studies. This duty is also called "legal maintenance obligation".

Sometimes parents cannot meet their legal maintenance obligation. In such cases, young people aged 18, 19 or 20 can still apply for benefits or allowances. The young person must then prove that their parents do not fulfil their legal maintenance obligation.