The cabinet aims for a comprehensible law that works for people, based on trust and with attention to the human scale. The goal is for more people to be able to start working faster under the Participation Act. And if that is not yet possible, people can participate in society in other ways. This is good for themselves, society, and the support for social assistance.
Stimulating work
The measures are aimed at making work alongside a benefit more attractive, such as standardizing the additional income limits when people work alongside the benefit. And the buffer budget, which allows fluctuations from varying income from work to be absorbed. This provides people with more financial security when they start working alongside their benefits. It will also be easier for people to apply for a social assistance benefit.
Language requirement
The language requirement remains in the Participation Act. State Secretary Nobel believes it is important that municipalities focus on mastering the Dutch language. This increases the chances of finding work. Municipalities will receive additional funds starting in 2027 for providing language education. This is stated in the cabinets spring memorandum. The focus is on new entrants and benefit recipients who would benefit from language offerings.
Implementation in stages
Municipalities will have the space to implement the draft law Participation Act in balance in stages. The cabinet is looking together with, among others, the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) at the timeline for the implementation of each measure. The aim is for the first measures to come into effect by January 1, 2026. This is partly dependent on the consideration of the law by the Senate.