Financial Recovery
At the Recovery Benefits Implementation Organization (UHT), more than 69,000 parents have registered as possibly affected. Almost all of them have had an initial screening. By the end of December, nearly 57,500 parents had also completed their comprehensive assessment or opted out. This year, the comprehensive assessment for all parents will be completed. In total, over 40,300 parents have been recognized as affected.
Secretary of State Palmen: The progress report shows that we are not idle and that results are being achieved. At the same time, we still have a lot of work to do. I want to make it possible for parents and their children to close this difficult chapter so they can look forward again.
Debt Relief
The debt relief process is proceeding as planned. For 96 percent of all affected parents, public debts have been canceled, and for 93 percent of these parents, payment arrears on private debts have been settled. Parents whose debts have not yet been settled are usually only recently recognized as affected.
Child Scheme
Through the child scheme, over 101,200 children have received compensation ranging from €2,000 to €10,000. As new parents continue to be recognized as affected, the number of children entitled to the child scheme is also gradually increasing. It is expected that the last decisions for the child scheme will be finalized in 2026.
Emotional Recovery
To help affected families get their lives back on track, in addition to financial compensation, other initiatives have also been established. For instance, in November 2024, a collection of stories titled Speaking of Resilience was published with inspiring stories from parents. Parents and children can also receive help with mental health issues and access broad support from their municipalities. This includes assistance with housing or health. Furthermore, Stichting Lotgenotencontact and Stichting Steunouder provide support and a listening ear to families.
Application Deadline for Additional Damages
Earlier this year, the Van Dam committee, commissioned by the Ministry of Finance, made recommendations to improve the recovery operation. Following the recommendations from the Van Dam committee, parts of the recovery operation will be restructured, and the process will be streamlined. A detailed response to the Van Dam committee will follow later this month.
The cabinet believes it is important that affected parents have the space to make an informed choice about which route for additional damages best fits their situation. To prevent parents from feeling they must make a choice before it is clear how the recommendations of the emergency advisory committee will be implemented, the cabinet has set the ultimate application deadline for additional damages to at least July 1, 2025, or six months after the comprehensive assessment decision becomes irrevocable.