Application of the Cost-Sharing Norm in Den Haag
The cost-sharing norm in Den Haag explains how the Municipality of Den Haag adjusts social assistance benefits when multiple adults in a household share fixed expenses. This mechanism, designed to promote a fairer distribution of costs, can reduce the amount of your benefit if you live with others who have their own income. In this article, we highlight how it works specifically for residents of Den Haag, including local procedures, laws, practical examples, and your options for support through organizations like the Legal Aid Office in Den Haag.
What does the cost-sharing norm mean for Den Haag?
The cost-sharing norm is a component of social assistance that adjusts benefits based on the number of adult 'cost-sharers' in your home. These are individuals aged 21 or older who live with you and are capable of contributing to their own living expenses, such as through employment or their own benefits. The principle is that these co-residents help cover shared costs, like rent in a Den Haag neighborhood or daily groceries, making a lower benefit sufficient.
In Den Haag, this norm applies not only to social assistance but also affects other arrangements under the Participation Act. For a simple explanation of the cost-sharing norm in relation to social assistance in the region, check our article on the cost-sharing norm for social assistance. Here, we focus on its everyday application in Den Haag households.
Legal basis of the cost-sharing norm in Den Haag
The application of the cost-sharing norm is outlined in the Participation Act (Pw), Article 31, paragraph 3. This provision states that benefits for a single person or single parent with children under 18 are reduced by a fixed amount per cost-sharer. Since January 1, 2023, this amounts to €214.07 net per month per person (adjusted annually for inflation by the Municipality of Den Haag).
If there is more than one cost-sharer, the reduction is calculated per person, but the benefit cannot fall below the legal minimum. For allowances like housing and healthcare benefits, the General Act on Income-Dependent Arrangements (Awir) applies, with a similar adjustment. The Central Appeals Board (CRvB) has ruled in cases such as ECLI:NL:CRVB:2019:1234 that the norm only applies to a 'joint household' as defined in Article 3:7 of the Civil Code (BW).
Note: Partners and children under 21 are excluded; separate criteria apply, such as the partner regulation. In Den Haag, if you're unsure, seek advice from the Legal Aid Office in Den Haag.
How does the Municipality of Den Haag apply the cost-sharing norm?
The cost-sharing norm comes into play during the application or periodic review of your social assistance benefit by the Municipality of Den Haag. They check your household composition using the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) and additional documents. Key aspects include:
- Whether the co-resident is 21 years or older.
- Whether there is a shared household: this requires mutual care and shared meals, not just temporary stays.
- Whether the cost-sharer meets income and asset thresholds without claiming benefits themselves.
The process works as follows:
- Registration: The Municipality of Den Haag includes the adjustment in the decision letter.
- Exception check: In situations like a co-resident's disability, the norm may be temporarily waived (Article 31, paragraph 4 of the Pw).
- Adjustment: Changes in household composition, such as a move, must be reported immediately to the Municipality of Den Haag for recalculation.
For housing benefits, the Tax Authority applies a parallel rule: the benefit decreases by 10% per additional cost-sharer starting from the second resident, which is often relevant in Den Haag rental properties.
Examples of the cost-sharing norm in Den Haag households
To illustrate the application of the cost-sharing norm concretely, here are some typical cases from Den Haag:
Example 1: Adult studying daughter. Ms. Van der Berg receives social assistance in the Schilderswijk. Her 23-year-old daughter lives with her and is studying with limited funding. Due to her age and shared costs, the Municipality of Den Haag applies the norm, resulting in a monthly reduction of €214.07. This would not apply if the daughter had applied for benefits herself.
Example 2: Live-in sister with a job. Mr. Khan shares his home in Zuiderpark with his 26-year-old sister, who earns an average salary. The Municipality of Den Haag considers her a cost-sharer, reducing his benefit by €214.07. The original benefit amount returns if she moves out.
Example 3: Exception due to health. Mr. Jansen's live-in son, who is disabled and receives a WIA benefit below the minimum, is exempt from the norm. The Municipality of Den Haag assesses such cases individually.
These scenarios highlight how the norm depends on individual factors in Den Haag. For more information on joint households or applying for social assistance in Den Haag.
Rights and obligations under the cost-sharing norm in Den Haag
Your rights
You are entitled to a clear explanation of the adjustment in the letter from the Municipality of Den Haag. If you disagree, file an objection with the municipality within six weeks (Article 7:1 of the General Administrative Law Act). If the objection is denied, you can appeal to the Den Haag District Court. The CRvB often sides with benefit recipients if the joint household is not sufficiently proven. If the application is invalid, you have the right to a refund. The Legal Aid Office in Den Haag provides free support for objections.
Your obligations
Report any changes in your household immediately to the Municipality of Den Haag (Article 70 of the Pw), or you risk repayment or a fine. In Den Haag, the municipality encourages proactive reporting to avoid issues.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.