Final phase of childcare allowance scandal recovery: thousands receive compensation
The Dutch government has completed assessments for all parents affected by the childcare allowance scandal, with over 43,000 now receiving financial recovery. Compensation for additional damages has been streamlined, offering clarity and support to families still dealing with the fallout.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Total registered parents | 69,000 |
| Recognized as affected | Over 43,000 |
| Minimum compensation per parent | €30,000 |
| Parents compensated for damages | 3,348 |
| Parents registered with CWS | Approximately 9,000 |
| Ongoing objections | Around 7,400 |
| Deadline for registration | End of 2023 |
| Support provided | Debt resolution, free legal aid, municipal assistance, action plans |
The Ministry of Finance, through the Recovery Allowances Implementation Organisation (UHT), oversees the financial recovery and compensation process for parents affected by the childcare allowance scandal. Its role is to ensure fair and efficient redress for those wrongfully impacted by the scandal. The Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) collaborates to provide broader support to affected families.
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All affected parents have completed the comprehensive assessment
All parents involved in the childcare allowance scandal have received the outcome of their comprehensive assessment. For a large majority of parents, financial recovery has now been completed. Compensation for additional damages has also been simplified and improved.
State Secretary Palmen of Recovery and Allowances: “In recent times, we have taken clear steps in the financial compensation for affected parents and their families. For all parents, the comprehensive assessment has been completed. For a large group of parents, financial recovery has also been finalised. Parents and their families now have clarity on the compensation they will receive. Compensation for additional damages has also been simplified and improved. Now that we have reached the concluding phase of the recovery operation, it is important to consider what is still needed to help the last parents overcome the injustice they have experienced.”
Financial recovery
Parents could register for childcare allowance recovery until the end of 2023. Approximately 69,000 people have done so. The Recovery Allowances Implementation Organisation (UHT) assesses, through an initial review and subsequent comprehensive assessment (IB), whether and to what extent a parent has been affected. Over 43,000 have been recognised as affected. They have already received all unduly recovered childcare allowances. In addition, they are entitled to material and non-material compensation. For all affected parents, this amounts to at least €30,000, though it may be higher. Their debts have also been addressed, and they receive targeted support from municipalities as well as free legal assistance.
Additional damages
As part of their financial compensation in the comprehensive assessment, parents also receive compensation for material and non-material damages. However, these amounts are not sufficient for all parents to adequately address the damages they have suffered. Losses such as a job, a home, health, or cherished possessions are being compensated as fairly and generously as possible through one of the available damage recovery routes.
Compensation for additional damages represents the final step in the financial compensation process for some affected parents. Parents can submit an application for additional compensation via the central registration portal. They can use either the MijnHerstel route or the damage route of the Stichting Gelijkwaardig Herstel (SGH). Both routes are based on the same damage framework and conclude with a settlement agreement (VSO).
A total of 3,348 affected parents have now received compensation for their proven additional damages. This is expected to enable many parents to complete their financial compensation process more quickly.
Commission on Actual Damage
Approximately 9,000 parents have registered with the Commission on Actual Damage (CWS) to claim compensation for additional damages. To assist these parents, they are being personally contacted to inform them about the options for faster compensation of their additional damages. They can choose the route that best suits them: via SGH or via MijnHerstel. In both cases, parents receive a standard offer and efforts are made to conclude a VSO. If the standard offer is not suitable, an individual calculation is possible.
Integrated handling of objections
Currently, around 7,400 parents have an ongoing objection against their comprehensive assessment (IB). To date, the recovery operation has been structured in such a way that parents must deal with a different counter for each of these issues. This can be complicated for parents and may also mean that the processing of additional damages takes longer in practice. Some parents, for example, wish to sign the damage VSO only after their IB objection has been resolved. To process these objections more quickly, we will engage in dialogue with parents to explore the best way to address their objections. To provide parents with an integrated solution, the MijnHerstel route is currently being adapted to allow for the simultaneous resolution of ongoing IB objections and the processing of additional damages. This should ensure that all objections are processed and resolved this year.
Comprehensive support
For an increasing number of parents, the financial compensation process has now been completed. In addition to financial compensation and support in resolving debts, many affected parents indicate that they need more to move forward with their lives. Parents, their children, recognised former allowance recipients, and surviving relatives can, if they wish, receive comprehensive support from municipalities. The aim is to help parents and children resume their lives. To harmonise and improve this broad support, additional agreements have been made with the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and the administrative director. Parents, together with the municipality, draw up an action plan. This provides parents with clarity on what they need to move past the injustice they have experienced and how the municipality can support them in this.