The U-Pas in Utrecht and the OoievaarsPas in The Hague are examples of discount cards that are provided by municipalities to people and families with a low income, or the minimum income. With the pass they can receive a discount on many things such as membership of a sports club, music lessons and visits to a museum. To be eligible for the U-Pass, the OoievaarsPas or a similar pass in another city, you must meet certain income requirements .
U-Pass in Utrecht
Participating in sports and culture is difficult if you have little to spend and you have to pay every dime. The municipality of Utrecht helps people in this situation by allocating a special discount pass for people with a low income. Once you have been assigned a U-Pas for minimum income, you can check the website of the Municipality of Utrecht to see where you can use it. The offer is very diverse. For example, you can become a member of the Lacrosse club, the Fairytale Theater, go to Holiday on Ice with a discount or get a discount on certain school activities. You can also get a discount on your health insurance.
If you are a resident of the Utrecht region (in addition to Utrecht, also Nieuwegein, Ijsselstein, Houten, Stichtse Vecht and De Bilt) and you have a low income, you may be eligible to apply for a U-Pass. You must meet the following income requirements in 2013:
- As a single person, your income does not exceed 17,014 euros per year
- As a single parent, your income does not exceed 21,725 euros per year
- As a multi-person household, your total income does not exceed 22,406 euros per year
If your income is slightly higher than the above amounts but you have one or more school-age children, they may be entitled to a personal U-Pass. This allows them to receive a discount to, for example, learn to play an instrument or become a member of a sports club. Students are not entitled to a U-Pas as long as they receive student financing. Unlike many benefits, you are not asked about your own assets when applying for a U-Pas. So if you have a lot of savings in addition to a low income, this will not affect your application.
The standards that apply in terms of income will be stricter in 2013 compared to 2012. You could still apply for the pass in 2012 if you had an income of up to 130% of the social assistance level, in 2013 this is still 110%. As a result, many households will lose their right to use a U-Pass in 2013.
The OoievaarsPas in The Hague
The stork is the symbol of The Hague and the pass that helps people with a minimum income can enjoy sports and culture is named after this bird. Go to Madurodam with a discount, become a member of a magic club, go to a concert in the Kloosterkerk or learn to draw and paint: these are just some of the examples of things you can get a discount on if you have an OoievaarsPas. You can also get a discount on your health insurance. You can also qualify for this if you live in the municipality of Rijswijk or Leidschendam-Voorburg. There is a personal contribution of 12.50 per year.
To be eligible for this discount card from the Municipality of The Hague, your income in 2013 may not exceed the limit of 110% of the social assistance level. This is a reduction compared to 2012, when the limit was still 130%. The reference date for your income is January 1, 2013. For example, if you earn more from March onwards, you will still be entitled to the OoievaarsPas for the rest of the year.
Would you like to apply for the Ooievaarspas? You must meet the following income requirements in 2013:
- As a single person, your income does not exceed 17,014 euros per year
- As a single parent, your income does not exceed 21,725 euros per year
- As a multi-person household, your total income does not exceed 22,406 euros per year
Discount passes for lower incomes in other municipalities
Other municipalities in the Netherlands also offer discounts on sports and culture to people with a low income. Examples are:
- AmstelveenPas in Amstelveen
- City Pass in Amsterdam
- GelrePas in Arnhem
- BredaPas in Breda
- Delft Regulations in Delft
- City Pass in Diemen
- GelrePas in Duiven
- City Pass in Eindhoven
- HaarlemPas in Haarlem
- City Pass in Landsmeer
- LangedijkerPas in Langedijk
- City Pass in Oostzaan
- City Pass in Ouder-Amstel
- RotterdamPas in Rotterdam
- My BeneFitspas in Sittard-Geleen
- Sport4All in Tytsjerksteradiel
- City Pass in Weesp
- GelrePas in Westervoort
- ZoetermeerPas in Zoetermeer
Discount on health insurance for minimum wage earners
Not all municipalities offer their minimum wage earners a discount pass. In many municipalities in the Netherlands there is a scheme that allows them to take advantage of cheap collective insurance intended specifically for everyone within that municipality with a low income. Such arrangements in any case consist of:
- Albrandswaard
- Almere
- Amersfoort
- To put away
- Bodegraven
- Borger-Odoorn
- Boxtel
- Cranendonk
- Dalfsen
- den Helder
- Geldermalsen
- Gouda
- Groningen
- Haaren
- Heemskerk
- Heeze-Leende
- Heiloo
- Horst aan de Maas
- Katwijk
- Leeuwarden
- Meppel
- Oostflakkee
- Oosterwoud
- Ridderkerk
- Schiedam
- City Canal
- Tiel
- Valkenswaard
- Velsen
- Waalre
- Waterland
- Wijchen
- Woerden
- Zaanstad
- Sea catch
- Zoeterwoude