Over €1 billion in Dutch social benefits unclaimed in 2021
In 2021, more than 1 billion euros in Dutch social benefits went unclaimed, according to the Centraal Planbureau (CPB). The unutilized benefits include housing allowance, healthcare allowance, and child-related budget.
The CPB's analysis indicates that certain demographics are more likely to forgo these benefits. Notably, newly retired individuals and self-employed persons exhibit higher rates of non-claiming. Conversely, those receiving social assistance benefits tend to claim their entitlements more consistently.
Among self-employed individuals, over 25 percent did not apply for healthcare allowance in 2021. This trend is particularly evident for smaller monthly amounts, typically up to 50 euros. The CPB suggests that the variable nature of self-employment income may contribute to this non-claiming behavior. Concerns about income fluctuations and potential repayment obligations might reportedly also deter these individuals from applying.
The CPB also highlights that non-claiming of benefits can persist over multiple years, leading to substantial financial losses for eligible households. For instance, a household that does not claim housing allowance for four consecutive years misses out on an average of 150 euros per month.
