Where to apply for social assistance in the Netherlands

Applications go to the municipality where you live

Each municipality sets its own first step. In some places you apply online with DigiD, in others you phone first, which can fix your application date, or sign up on werk.nl before an adviser contacts you. Offices also have their own help for people who find the form hard, and their own list of what to prepare.

2 offices in Sneek
  • Sneek

    Gemeenteloket Sneek — Súdwest-Fryslân

    Marktstraat 8, 8601 CT Sneek

    Apply online with DigiD, or drop in on weekday mornings without an appointment if the digital application is difficult.

    Prepare the application’s requested identity, household, income, asset and debt evidence; keep confirmation of submission. If a youth search period applies, return to the saved form after four weeks to complete and submit it, rather than assuming the first step finished the claim. Discuss urgent financial hardship or an advance with staff; eligibility is assessed individually. The booking instructions ask for your DigiD (the Dutch digital ID for government websites) or BSN (citizen service number) number and your own identity card or passport; a driving licence is not accepted as the identity document for this appointment. Keep your DigiD password and verification codes private and sign in yourself. Bring the information and evidence requested by the benefit application.

  • Sneek

    Sneek - De Bron — hulp bij aanvragen bijstandsuitkering

    Middelzeelaan 1, 8604 BH Sneek

    Book about an hour of help with filling in your application, with a choice of two locations in Sneek.

    The booking instructions ask for your DigiD (the Dutch digital ID for government websites) or BSN (citizen service number) number and your own identity card or passport; a driving licence is not accepted as the identity document for this appointment. Keep your DigiD password and verification codes private and sign in yourself. Bring the information and evidence requested by the benefit application.

Related services

Other everyday services in Netherlands

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Where to next

Social assistance for basic living costs

See who can apply for income support, what a municipality takes into account and where to get advice if the application is difficult.

Social assistance in the Netherlands