Too often, schemes within the current income support system are unpredictable, inaccessible, or unfair. This is due to the legislation becoming increasingly complex over the years. It creates uncertainty in peoples livelihoods and causes problems for executors such as UWV, SVB, and municipalities. Therefore, Minister Van Hijum and Secretary of State Nobel argue that the system is in urgent need of reform.

Minister Van Hijum: “It is time to get to work on simplification now. We know that our system of regulations and laws is complicated. As a result, unnecessary mistakes are made and people get lost in the system. With this approach, we ensure improvement: that people actually receive what they are entitled to and that it also becomes easier for executors and municipalities to help people.”

Secretary of State Nobel: “Work must pay off, and even if you work, you must be able to access the support available. It should not matter in which municipality you live. As a government, we must get rid of the madness of counters. It must be truly simpler.”

Currently, too many people do not know that they are entitled to a benefit or social provision. Many people are also afraid to apply for it out of fear that they will have to repay something or find the application process complicated. The proactive service bill from Minister Van Hijum regulates that UWV, SVB, and municipalities may actively inform people about the benefits they are entitled to and assist them in applying. The bill will go to the House of Representatives later this year.

There are also schemes that contradict each other. As a result, people sometimes have too little money left. The cabinet will investigate in the short term which groups this affects, why this is the case, and how it can be resolved. They will look at practical examples. This includes the Allowances Act, AIO, special assistance, problems of single earners, energy poverty, and the exempt amount. Schemes must not interact in such a way that people are left with too little money.

There are significant differences between municipalities in the schemes for people struggling with poverty, including for children. This creates inequality. National schemes for income support have also become complicated. The Secretary of State will therefore work with municipalities on a simpler and more effective (child) poverty policy, with more attention to the position of workers.

Reforming the system is also necessary for people in a benefit situation who are making the step to work or want to work more hours. It is important that work pays off sufficiently. Additionally, the services provided to people and employers must also contribute to helping people find their way to the labor market. One of the measures for this is a work center in every labor market region where people can go with questions about work and development.

The officials are working on an approach on 7 different themes, including simplifying the WIA. The first steps will be taken this year. Furthermore, the House of Representatives will consider a bill from Minister Van Hijum later this year that regulates that a mistake does not immediately lead to a fine. The whole is a structural approach that ultimately aims to lead to a future-proof and simpler system.