Dutch government's welfare cuts will hit vulnerable citizens hard
In the media image: Christian Dubovan on Unsplash
The National Ombudsman and various experts, including Fatma Çapkurt, Assistant Professor in constitutional and administrative law, are highly critical of the government’s plans to amend proposed legislation that would let public authorities actively approach people entitled to social security benefits.
An article on the NOS news site discusses the Dutch government’s plans to amend the forthcoming Wet proactieve dienstverlening SZW. This Act was intended to encourage public authorities to proactively inform citizens living in poverty about the benefits they are entitled to. If the government scraps the part of the Act on general assistance, the poorest in society will be hit hard.
With the measure, the government aims to save around €30 million a year by not applying part of the new law, due to take effect on 1 July 2026, to general social assistance. It would mean that those entitled to support will no longer be automatically approached by their municipality. Critics say people are often unaware of the benefits they are entitled to due to the complex rules, ignorance, or fear of having to eventually pay back money received.
'This sends a strange message. The government is anticipating that citizens won’t apply for the benefits to which they’re entitled. I don’t think that’s decent,' says Çapkurt. 'I understand that cuts have to be made, but this cabinet is doing so at the expense of people who are already in a very vulnerable financial position. That's the wrong choice.'