What is the cost-sharing standard for social assistance?

The short answer

With the cost-sharing standard, you get less social assistance if you live with other adults who are not your partner, child, or parent. Do you live alone? Then you get 70% of the social minimum. Do you live with one other adult? Then you both get 50% of the social minimum. With more adults, the amount is divided even lower. The municipality assumes that you can live more cheaply by sharing costs.

What does the law say?

The cost-sharing standard is laid down in the Participation Act and has been in effect since 2015. The law states that people who can share their housing costs need less social assistance to get by. However, there are exceptions for vulnerable groups and special situations. The municipality must always investigate your living situation before applying the standard.

What should you watch out for?

Not every adult counts as a cost-sharer. Family members such as parents and children under 21 do not count. There are also exceptions for people who receive help with debts or are victims of violence. Note that temporary residents may also sometimes be counted as cost-sharers.

Example from practice

Sarah (28) receives social assistance and lives with two student friends in a rented house. Because she lives with three adults, Sarah does not receive 70% of the social minimum (€896), but only 50% (€640). The municipality assumes that Sarah shares costs such as rent, gas, water, and internet. Even if Sarah does not actually share all the costs in practice, the cost-sharing standard still applies.

What can you do?

If you are faced with the cost-sharing standard, you can take various steps. First, check whether the standard is being applied correctly and whether there are exceptions for your situation.