Former allowance partner scheme

The scheme is designed for former allowance partners who meet conditions 1 and 2 and condition 3a or 3b.

1. You have not previously received compensation from a childcare allowance recovery scheme (Catshuis scheme, compensation scheme, hardship scheme, intent/gross negligence allowance).
2. You and the recognised affected person had already separated before the recognised affected person received the compensation.
3. You also meet one of the conditions below. Condition a or condition b:
   a. You were an allowance partner in a year when you and your allowance partner were affected. And the application for the childcare benefit was made for your children or foster children.
   b. You were an allowance partner when we sent the decision that affected the applicant. And you were an allowance partner for at least one year after that decision.

You can only receive the former allowance partner compensation once.

Former allowance partners we believe are eligible will automatically receive an application letter. We will send these letters as from September 2023. The letter contains a QR code you can use to register. If the QR code does not work, the letter also contains a link to the application form. The letters will be sent out in groups as from September 2023. We cannot send all the letters at once. Have you not received a letter by January 2024? And do you want to apply for the scheme? From January 2024, you can find out how it works on the website.

If you receive an application letter from us before 1 January 2024: you can apply until 1 July 2024.If you receive an application letter on or after 1 January 2024: You can apply up to six months from the date of the application letter.
Have you not received an application letter? From January 2024 you can read on the website how to apply.

We are aware of former allowance partners this scheme is intended for. They may receive an application letter as from September 2023.

• Have you received a letter? If so, you can apply for the scheme.
• You will receive confirmation of your application within two weeks.
• We will then assess whether you are eligible for the scheme.
• You will receive a letter (decision) within eight weeks of our acknowledging receipt of your application.
• Does this letter say you are eligible for help and financial compensation? If so, the compensation will be transferred to your account within four weeks.

Do you want to register? The website will tell you how that works from January 2024 onwards.

If you have received a letter (decision) saying you are eligible for the former allowance partner scheme, you are entitled to financial compensation and help:

• An amount of €10,000.
• Support through your municipality (in the areas of finance, family, work, housing and care).
• Debt assistance.
• Help with additional losses.

Serious mistakes have been made with the childcare allowance. Those affected receive €30,000 from the childcare allowance recovery scheme. This amount is intended for the whole family as it was when the childcare allowance problems began.

We have been made aware that this compensation is not always shared in cases where the relationship with the allowance partner has ended. Former allowance partners sometimes also face serious difficulties as a result. The government also wants to give them the opportunity to make a new start.

An amount of €10,000 was decided upon so as not to make the difference too big compared to parents who did stay together. The amount is expected to be sufficient to make a new start.

It is also intended to acknowledge the grief and suffering you have experienced.

If your losses exceed €10,000, assistance is available for that purpose.

After your application, we will check whether the scheme is intended for you. You will receive a letter ('decision') about this. This letter states whether you meet the conditions for the scheme. If so, the compensation will be transferred to the account known to us within four weeks.
Do you want the amount transferred to a different account? If so, you have the opportunity to change your account number up to three weeks after receiving the letter (decision). You can also specify that you want to receive the money later if, for example, you have debts and want to clear them first.

You can change your account via Mijn Belastingdienst. Log in using DigiD. Note that this change applies to all future taxes and allowances. If you wish, you can change the account number again after receiving the payment.

If the applicant has died, you may be eligible for the former allowance partner scheme. If you apply, we can assess whether you meet the conditions of the scheme.

Has the former partner died? More information on a scheme for relatives will come later.

Do you have children who were born or became foster children before you became an allowance partner of the affected applicant? If the children were under 21 on 01-01-2005 or born after 01-01-2005, they may be entitled to the child scheme.

No, your former allowance partner (allowance applicant) will not be informed that you may be eligible for the former allowance partner scheme.

If your question is not listed, please contact the Service Team to ask your question. They will be pleased to help you.