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Relatives of children of affected parents
Children also died during the difficult period when families were affected. These children would have been entitled to the child scheme if they had lived. These children also deserve recognition.
Recognition and a cash amount
Beneficiaries of the deceased children's surviving relatives scheme will receive a letter of acknowledgement and a sum of money. The amount is linked to age groups, as with the child scheme and is fixed. We look at the age the child was when they died. Did the child die after 1 July 2023? In that case, the age on 1 July 2023 applies.
| Age of child/young person at time of decease | Amount |
| 0 to 5 years | € 2.000 |
| 6 to 11 years | € 4.000 |
| 12 to 14 years | € 6.000 |
| 15 to 17 years | € 8.000 |
| 18 and above | € 10.000 |
Scheme beneficiaries
There may be one or more beneficiaries of the scheme. The family's situation is considered. to ensure that the recovery measure reaches the family the deceased belonged to when they died. There is a certain order for the scheme:
- the benefit partner of the deceased child
- the children of the deceased child
- the parents of the deceased child.
Is there a benefit partner? If so, that person is the scheme beneficiary. And the others are not. Is there no benefit partner? In that case, this arrangement applies to the children of the deceased child. Are there no children? In that case, the parents of the deceased child are the scheme beneficiaries.
Benefit partner of a child of affected parents
Were you the benefit partner of a child of affected parents who is now deceased? If so, you are probably entitled to the surviving relatives benefit. We are aware of most of the surviving relatives. We will contact you in due course.
A benefit partner is someone who counts for the benefits. The money earned and owned by both benefit partners counts towards the benefit. The benefit partners receive the benefit together. A benefit partner can be your spouse or registered partner. Or someone else living at your address. You can have only one benefit partner.
Example
With benefit partner
A daughter of affected parents dies when she is 25. She has a benefit partner at the time. The benefit partner is the scheme beneficiary. To determine the amount, we look at her age when she died. At 25, there is a cash amount of €10,000. The benefit partner will receive the full amount of €10,000 and an acknowledgement letter.
Children of a child of affected parents
Has your grandmother or grandfather been affected? And did your father or mother die before he or she received the scheme? If your father or mother did not have a benefit partner when they died, you are entitled to the surviving relatives scheme. Are there several children? If so, we will divide the entire amount your father or mother was entitled to. Each child receives the same amount of money. The age of the children makes no difference.
Did your father or mother have a benefit partner? If so, that person is the scheme beneficiary. We are aware of most of the surviving relatives. We will contact you in due course.
1 child, no benefit partner
The deceased child did not have a benefit partner at the time of decease. But we are aware that there is one daughter. She is the scheme beneficiary in this case. The daughter indicates she wants to receive the scheme. We must take up to six months to find other beneficiaries and give them time to self-report. For example, a child born abroad and not registered in the Netherlands. We also ask the daughter if she has any brothers or sisters. Ultimately, no one reports back.
To determine the amount, we look at the child's age when he or she died. The deceased child was over 18 years old. The daughter will receive €10,000 and an acknowledgement letter.
Several children, no benefit partner, and one child does not want to receive the scheme
The deceased child did not have a benefit partner at the time of decease, but had three children: Two sons and one daughter. In this example, the sons want to receive the scheme and apply for it. The daughter does not want to receive the scheme and does not apply. The daughter can still change her mind until the six-month application period has expired. We must take up to six months to find other beneficiaries. And give them time to self-report. For example, a child born abroad and not registered in the Netherlands. We also ask the daughter if she has any brothers or sisters.
To determine the amount, we look at the child's age when he or she died. Their father or mother was a child of an affected parent. He or she was over 18 and entitled to €10,000. The daughter sticks to her decision not to receive the scheme. When the application deadline closes, the two sons indicate that they wanted to receive the scheme. Each son will receive €5,000 and an acknowledgement letter.
Several children, no benefit partner
The deceased child did not have a benefit partner at the time of decease, but had three children: 2 sons and 1 daughter. All the children want to receive the scheme and sign up. We must take up to six months to find other beneficiaries. And give them time to self-report. For example, a child born abroad and not registered in the Netherlands. We also ask the children if they have any siblings who are not known. Ultimately, no one reports back.
To determine the amount, we look at the child's age when he or she died. Their father or mother was a child of an affected parent. He or she was over 18 and entitled to €10,000. The 3 children who signed up will each receive their own share. Each child therefore receives €3,334. They will also receive a letter of recognition. We round up the amounts.
Parents of a child of affected parents
Did the child of affected parents have no benefit partner and no children? In that case, you as the parents are the beneficiaries of the surviving relatives scheme. We are aware of most of the surviving relatives. We will contact you in due course.
Parents are together
Their son was 10 when he died. Both parents are beneficiaries of the scheme. The parents are still together and both inform UHT that they want to receive the scheme.
To determine the amount, we look at the son's age when he died. At 10, there is a cash amount of €4,000. The parents will each receive €2,000 (together €4,000) and an acknowledgement letter.
Parents are no longer together
Their daughter was 21 when she died. She had no benefit partner when she died and no children either. Both parents are therefore the beneficiaries of the scheme, but are no longer together. Both parents have up to six months to apply. Both want to receive the scheme.
To determine the amount, we look at the age of their daughter when she died. At 21, there is a cash amount of €10,000. Each parent will receive €5,000 and an acknowledgement letter.
Parents are no longer together, 1 parent does not report
Their daughter was 15 when she died. Both parents are beneficiaries of the scheme. The parents are divorced and the mother indicates to us that she wants to receive the scheme. The father's address is unknown. We must take 6 months to find the father. At the same time, the father has 6 months to self-report. The father is not found and does not self-report.
To determine the amount, we look at the child's age when he or she died. At 15, there is a cash amount of €6,000. The mother will receive the full amount of €6,000 and an acknowledgement letter.
Application period of 6 months
A notification period applies if there are several beneficiaries of the scheme. This gives relatives time to think about whether they want the scheme. And in some cases not all scheme beneficiaries are known to us. Or do not have their address. If we know that several people are entitled to the scheme, we use those six months to contact them. The application deadline gives relatives time to register with us themselves.
Until when does the application period last?
- Did the child die before 22 April 2024? If that case, the six-month notification period will apply until 22 October 2024.
- Did the child die after 22 April 2024? In that case, the six-month notification period applies from the time of death.
- For parents recognised as an affected parent after 22 October 2024, the notification period of six months from the date of the order stating that the parent has been recognised as an affected parent will apply.
Planning and approach
Most scheme beneficiaries are known to us. We will contact you in person. First, you will receive a card telling you that we will call you. Are there several beneficiaries of the scheme within the family? If so, we will contact all beneficiaries.
From 22 April, we will start the scheme for relatives of deceased children. From then on, the first group will receive the card.
As we cannot help everyone in 1 month, we work according to a schedule:
| April/May | Parents recognised as affected in 2019 and 2020 |
| June/July | To be announced |
| August/September | To be announced |
| October/November | To be announced |
Contact us
Do you want to contact us because you believe you are entitled to the surviving relatives scheme? If so, that is always possible.
Frequently asked questions
What are the steps of the scheme?
If you are the scheme beneficiary, you will first receive a card informing you that we will contact you. We will then contact you to sign up for the scheme. We also explain the six-month application period and how to opt out of the scheme if necessary. Once all beneficiaries of the scheme are known or the application deadline has passed, we will tell you the amount you are entitled to. This amount will be sent to the account number known to us.
In which cases do I have to register myself?
We do not have a clear image of children without a BSN (citizen service number), foster children and/or deceased children abroad. Therefore, we may not be able to contact you. Do you feel you are a beneficiary of the surviving relatives scheme? If so, contact us yourself.
What do I need to apply?
Your own BSN (citizen service number) and the BSN of the deceased child. If your child does not have a BSN, please discuss this with your contact person.
Do I need a death certificate?
No, a death certificate is not required unless we cannot see that a child has died. In that case, your contact will discuss this with you and look at what is needed together.
Who is the scheme beneficiary if the deceased child does not have or no longer has a benefit partner, children or parents?
In that case, there are no scheme beneficiaries.
As a grandparent, why am I not eligible?
Grandparents are not eligible for the surviving relatives scheme. The legislative proposal has opted for a certain order. The recognition will go to the following beneficiaries:
- the benefit partner of the deceased child at the time of decease
- the deceased child's own living children, being biological, adopted and recognised children
- the parents of the deceased.
How does this scheme work for stepchildren and/or deceased children of benefit partners?
The scheme may also apply to deceased children of benefit partners or former benefit partners. This is only the case if the child would have been entitled to the child scheme if still alive. Do you believe you are entitled to this scheme in this case? In that case, contact us.
Can I have an interview with Staatssecretaris Aukje de Vries?
Yes, applications can be made through the Service Team.
Will I only receive a cash amount?
The scheme consists of a lump sum of money and a letter of recognition. The amount of money you receive depends on the age of the child at the time of death and the number of scheme beneficiaries.
Can there be an entitlement to other recovery schemes besides the surviving relatives scheme?
Yes, that is possible. Parents of a deceased child may themselves be affected and entitled to recovery arrangements. They will also be entitled to the surviving relatives scheme.
Does the money I receive affect the amount of my current and future benefits?
No. These amounts are exempt for 10 years from the test that determines the amount of your benefit. This can also be found on UHT's website: the impact of compensation on income, allowances or benefits.
Does the money count towards my welfare or other benefits?
The amount does not affect the amount of the welfare benefit. Not does it affect the amount of certain other benefits. They include the WW, WIA, WAO en Ziektewet.
This may however affect the amount of special assistance. Each municipality may decide how they calculate the available resources for this purpose. It is therefore worth discussing this with your municipality.
This can also be found on UHT's website: the impact of compensation on income, allowances or benefits.
Do I have to pay tax on the amount I receive?
You do not pay income tax in Box 1 on the amount received. The money you receive is not regarded as income by the Belastingdienst.
Please note: Do you live abroad? If so, different rules may apply.
Is the amount to be paid out for the surviving relatives scheme set off against any outstanding debts with Dienst Toeslagen and/or Belastingdienst?
No, surviving relatives receive the amount in their account without it being set off against outstanding claims.
I want to change my details; how can I change my application?
Get in touch with your regular contact.
Why have I been turned down for the scheme?
You have received a decision stating that you have been turned down for the scheme. We have conducted an investigation, and you do not meet the requirements necessary for the scheme. There could be various reasons for this. These reasons are given in the letter you received. Do you have any questions about this rejection? If so, get in touch with your contact person. Together, you will read the letter in your own time and can ask any questions you may have.