‘Poorer households are hundreds of euros in bonuses wrong’ – Yahoo! News

It is the people who need it most, walking hundreds of euros in lost fees because they do not know how to apply.

that said the online reporting program Bokkz, did it on behalf of the VARA program Kassa investigation. Kassa called a month ago in the broadcast to pass tax information. 5100 people gave it heed.

1300 euros per household
Of the group of people who filled their data, was 1 in 7 do not care, rent or childcare allowance applied while they have there are entitled to. Thereby running households on average 1300 euros in lost fees annually.

Most people who apply for benefits, earning less than $ 10,000 per year or have a negative income. The latter means that they have to repay overpaid benefits or wages. Also, more than 1 in 6 people over 60 calls surcharges which they are entitled not to. In people who changed their personal situation, for example, because they get married or divorced, nearly 1 in 5 according Bokkz do not know that they are entitled to more fees than they get.

Policy Jungle
Maureen van Eijk poverty director in Amsterdam. They also confirm the checkout program that does not apply much poorer surcharges. It constitutes about 35 percent of the inhabitants of Amsterdam with a low income.

Applying for fees is complicated because there are many fees that vary by municipality. “It’s a jungle,” says De Vries. “Every municipality gives its own interpretation of the fees. That is totally incomprehensible and not to follow people.”

Comments ministries
The Interior Ministry, which deals with the rent subsidy, says in a comment at checkout to have the idea that more and more people the price increases which they right to have, applications. But recent figures the ministry does not have. At this moment, the ministry there in their own words investigate.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, which deals with the childcare allowance, expected before the summer, the first results of its own investigation into missing out on bonuses and hold it down. The Ministry of Health, which is about the health care benefits, says people are well-informed. “It’s a responsibility of people to apply for health care benefits.”

Yahoo! News