Long-term Low Income Criteria in Amsterdam

Long-term Low Income in Amsterdam: the Criteria

In Amsterdam, you are entitled to support if your income has not exceeded 100% of the social minimum for three consecutive years. This is key for benefits such as the individual income supplement from the Municipality of Amsterdam, which helps vulnerable Amsterdam residents with structural financial problems.

What Does Long-term Low Income Mean for Amsterdam Residents?

Long-term low income refers to sustained financial pressure over a three-year period. In Amsterdam's social assistance system, it plays a role in special benefits. It targets structural poverty, not short-term dips. Strict rules ensure that temporary benefits are not mistakenly counted as low income.

For the Municipality of Amsterdam's individual income supplement (IIS), this is essential. This one-time payment compensates for long-term low income, provided you can prove your income stayed below the threshold for three years.

Legal Basis

The requirements are set out in the Participation Act, specifically Article 36, paragraph 1. Your income must not have exceeded the benefit norm (Article 20, paragraph 1 of the Participation Act) for three consecutive years, which is 100% of the social minimum for your household. The Municipality of Amsterdam strictly follows national rules.

Rules from the General Tax Act apply to income data, and the Salary and Wage Act to assets. Local authorities like Amsterdam may not deviate from national standards.

• Participation Act art. 36: Three-year period and income threshold.
• Art. 20 Participation Act: Social minimum, e.g. €1,201 net per month for single persons 21+ (2024).
• Ministerial regulations: Indexed annually for inflation.

Criteria Explained for Amsterdam

For the long-term low income criteria in Amsterdam, you must meet various conditions. Overview:

1. Period: three consecutive years

Continuity is required. Exceptions for seasonal work in Amsterdam (such as at events) are assessed case by case by the Municipality.

2. Threshold: maximum 100% social minimum

Gross annual income must remain below the norm. For 2024:

Source: SVB and Ministry of SZW (2024). Includes salary, benefits, alimony, and partner's income.

3. Assets Test

Assets must not exceed the norm (art. 34 Participation Act): €7,575 for singles, €15,140 for couples (2024). In Amsterdam, savings, additional properties, or expensive cars count after deductions.

4. Personal Conditions

Age 21+, resident in Amsterdam. Asylum seekers or students are usually excluded.

Examples from Amsterdam Practice

Example 1: Marieke (35, single in Amsterdam-Noord), €1,100 net benefit (2021-2023), no savings. IIS of €500+ approved by Municipality of Amsterdam.

Example 2: Ahmed (45, married in De Pijp), €1,600/month (2020-2022), but €10,000 in bank. Rejected due to assets threshold.

Example 3: Seasonal work: Lisa (from Bijlmer) had 2021 benefit (€1,000), 2022 sickness benefit (€1,400), 2023 unemployment benefit (€1,100). Municipality of Amsterdam approves if average income is below threshold.

Rights and Obligations in Amsterdam

Rights:

• Free application via Municipality of Amsterdam.
• Objection and appeal to Amsterdam District Court (GWA art. 7:1).
• Automatic adjustment of norms.

Obligations:

1. Submit proof: tax returns, UWV statements (3 years).
2. Report ongoing income changes.
3. No deception: penalty up to 100% of benefit.

FAQs for Amsterdam Residents

Tips for Amsterdam Residents

• Gather documents via Mijn Belastingdienst and UWV.
• Calculate using SVB tool.
• Check special assistance as alternative.
• Unsure? Visit Juridisch Loket Amsterdam or Participation Act.
• Complex case? Contact local legal aid.

Related: IIS, Social minimum, Benefit norms.