Thousands of parents receive additional compensation in childcare allowance scandal recovery
Over 1,000 parents affected by the childcare allowance scandal have opted for new compensation routes, with 50+ completing applications. The Dutch government is scaling up efforts to provide financial relief, offering up to €40,000 on average to those wrongfully penalized.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Total affected parents | 43,000+ |
| Average compensation (comprehensive) | €40,000+ |
| Parents registered for additional | 19,000 |
| Parents compensated so far | 3,300 |
| Parents in MijnHerstel route | 1,000+ |
| Parents who completed MijnHerstel | 50+ |
| Waiting list at CWS | 9,000 |
| Registration deadline | 31 March 2026 (with 6-month extension to choose a route) |
| Routes for additional compensation | MijnHerstel or Stichting Gelijkwaardig Herstel (SGH) |
The Dutch government, through the Ministry of Finance and other involved bodies, is responsible for overseeing the compensation process for parents affected by the childcare allowance scandal. Their role includes ensuring fair financial recovery, providing support mechanisms, and addressing systemic failures that led to the injustice.
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Cabinet focuses on further scaling up additional compensation routes
The first group of affected parents has completed the new MijnHerstel route for additional compensation. Since the launch of MijnHerstel last December, over 1,000 parents have chosen to receive additional compensation through this route. So far, more than 50 parents have completed their applications. In the coming period, the cabinet will focus on further scaling up and improving the additional compensation routes.
All parents involved in the childcare allowance affair have now received the outcome of their comprehensive assessment. For a large majority of parents, financial recovery has now been completed. On average, parents have received over €40,000 following the comprehensive assessment. Parents who have suffered greater losses than compensated so far, for example due to the loss of a home or a job, can use two routes for additional compensation: MijnHerstel or the compensation route of the Stichting Gelijkwaardig Herstel (SGH). Both routes are based on the same damage framework and are concluded with a settlement agreement.
MijnHerstel
In MijnHerstel, parents can apply for compensation for additional damage, preferably with the help of a lawyer or trusted person. They can complete the route at their own pace and receive both personal and digital support. Since the route was launched, several adjustments have been made to improve usability. Parents can also receive additional guidance from peer experts through parent organisations, and they can complete the route with a recovery conversation.
Registration
So far, around 19,000 parents have submitted an application for additional compensation, of which 3,300 have now been compensated. Parents can register for additional compensation on the information and registration portal until 31 March 2026. They then have a further six months to choose between the SGH route and MijnHerstel. The registration deadline does not apply to parents who received their comprehensive assessment after 1 October 2025 or whose appeal or objection procedure is still ongoing. Once their comprehensive assessment is fully completed, they still have six months to apply for additional compensation if necessary. Parents already on the waiting list at CWS are already registered. Additional arrangements have been made for parents who have registered with SGH.
Individual calculation
In a limited number of cases, the standard framework may not cover a parent’s situation. This applies to situations where it can be demonstrated that the recovery has resulted in high medical costs or structural loss of income due to illness or the closure of a business. In such cases, a parent can request an individual calculation of the damage after completing the MijnHerstel or SGH route. Since the individual calculation examines the extent of the damage and causality more precisely, the outcome may also be lower than the compensation received through MijnHerstel or SGH.
Commissie Werkelijk Schade (CWS)
Around 9,000 parents are currently on the waiting list at the Commissie Werkelijk Schade (CWS). As it would take another 15 years to assist these parents, they have been asked to choose the SGH or MijnHerstel route so they can be helped more quickly. Parents already in the process at CWS can, if they wish, complete the handling of their damage claim at CWS.
Financial recovery
Parents could register for the childcare allowance recovery operation until the end of 2023. In total, 69,000 people registered, of whom more than 43,000 were recognised as affected. All affected parents have now undergone a comprehensive assessment. This means they have been financially compensated for unjustified recovery actions and have received material and immaterial compensation. Their public debts have also been written off, and private debts have been addressed. In addition, parents can turn to their municipality for broad support. Together with parents, over 20,000 action plans have already been drawn up.