Assistance for the Self-Employed
Effective October 1, 2021, the TONK (Temporary Support for Necessary Expenses) program, which was part of the COVID-19 relief package, has ended. It is therefore no longer possible to apply for the TONK program.
Support
Starting October 1, the municipality can provide financial assistance to households in financial distress under the Self-Employed Assistance Act (Bbz). The government has decided to temporarily simplify the Bbz (during the fourth quarter of 2021) in three areas:
- Exempting the means test.
- Allowing individuals to apply for the Bbz benefit retroactively (up to two months).
- Determining income and the amount of the Bbz benefit on a calendar-month basis (rather than per fiscal year) and providing the Bbz benefit directly as a grant (rather than as a provisional loan).
Effective January 1, 2022, the Bbz will once again be implemented without any changes.
Applications
The Municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg also administers the Bbz on behalf of the municipalities of Voorschoten and Wassenaar. Starting October 1, residents of the three municipalities can apply for the Bbz through the Municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg’s website.