Repaying social assistance by an ex-partner or parent

The municipality may require someone other than the person receiving social assistance to repay the Social assistance benefit . This is called “recovery of social assistance.”

The municipality may recover social assistance from you if you fail to meet your maintenance obligation. Maintenance obligation means that you contribute to the cost of living of another person. You are legally required to provide financially for:

  • your child under the age of 21
  • your (ex-)husband/wife
  • your (ex-)registered partner

If you fail to do so, and your child or (former) partner receives Social assistance benefit as a result, the municipality may decide that you must repay this assistance.

How does it work?

The municipality may require you to repay social assistance in the following situations:

  • You have children under the age of 21 and you do not contribute or contribute insufficiently to the cost of living.
  • You live apart from your husband/wife/registered partner and you do not contribute or contribute insufficiently to the cost of living.
  • You are officially divorced and you pay too little alimony or none at all.
  • You have received a donation from someone who receives social assistance.
  • You have inherited from someone who received too much social assistance.
  • You have inherited from someone who wrongfully received social assistance.
  • You have inherited from someone who received social assistance as a loan.

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