People who receive social assistance benefits must adhere to a number of obligations. For example, there is an obligation to apply for a job and the municipality can oblige you to participate in a reintegration process. In addition, you are only allowed to go on holiday for a maximum number of weeks and you are obliged to cooperate in inspection visits if the municipality deems this necessary.
Application obligation
A person who receives social assistance benefits must be registered as a job seeker with UWV WERKbedrijf. This institution brings employers and job seekers together. You must apply for normal work. The government defines this as all types of regular work. Non-normal work includes working as a prostitute. There is no need to apply for these types of vacancies. Even if you have no experience in a particular profession, the municipality may still require you to apply for it. For example, if you have only gained work experience as a secretary, the municipality may also require you to apply for positions as a cleaner or catering employee. You should apply at least once a week.
Exemption from the obligation to apply for a job
The municipality is authorized to grant recipients of social assistance benefits an exemption from the obligation to apply for a job. This is often given to single parents with a child under the age of five or when the recipient of the benefit is ill or acts as an informal caregiver for a sick family member. The municipality ultimately decides whether an exemption from the job application requirement will be granted. Each municipality may determine the conditions for this itself. So contact your own municipality for more information. If the exemption has been granted, the municipality can oblige you to follow training in the meantime to increase your chances of finding work.
Reintegration process
The municipality can offer recipients of social assistance benefits a reintegration program. The benefit recipient is obliged to cooperate in this. This is possible through the Work first project
Work first
The municipality can offer you a work experience place under the name Work first, where you work for two years with guidance at the municipality or in a company. In the meantime, social assistance benefits continue.
Volunteer work
The municipality can also oblige recipients of social assistance benefits to do volunteer work, do an internship or take a course. Volunteer work can be done to ensure that people participate in society again. The municipality can also oblige you to do an internship at a company in order to get back into the working rhythm. In addition, the municipality can offer a work-study program, whereby the benefit recipient goes to school and works at the same time. This is usually in sectors where there is a high demand for new employees, such as healthcare.
Social assistance and going on holiday
People on social assistance benefit are allowed to go on holiday abroad for a maximum of four weeks per year. This applies to both people with an obligation to apply for a job and to people who have an exemption from the obligation to apply for a job. People who receive a supplementary social assistance benefit in addition to their state pension are allowed to go abroad for a maximum of thirteen weeks per year.
Assistance and home visits
The municipality has the right to make a home visit to a recipient of social assistance benefits to see whether the benefit is being provided correctly. In most cases, the municipality wants to see what your living situation looks like. For example, it can be seen how many people you live with. A home visit can also take place if there are no suspicions of fraud. Before a home visit, an official must identify himself or herself and ask permission to enter the home and possibly open cupboards and drawers. During a criminal investigation, the officer may also check the house without permission. The official is obliged to inform you that as a resident you do not have to answer questions. You also do not have to assist with the investigation.