The Cost-Sharing Rule Explained for Rotterdam
The **cost-sharing rule** plays a key role in social security for Rotterdam residents receiving social assistance. This regulation affects the amount of the benefit when multiple people in the same household share living expenses—common in a vibrant city like Rotterdam, where many families and cohabiting partners reside. The rule reduces the benefit when you live with a partner or adult children, as costs per person decrease. While this ensures a fair distribution of resources, it raises questions about who qualifies as a **cost-sharer**, especially in diverse neighborhoods like Rotterdam-Zuid or the city center.
Legal Basis of the Cost-Sharing Rule in Rotterdam
The **cost-sharing rule** is outlined in the **Participation Act (Participatiewet)**, specifically Article 31, third paragraph. This law, effective since January 1, 2015, introduced the rule on July 1, 2015, aligning benefits with actual living situations in households. The Municipality of Rotterdam applies it to recognize shared expenses in households, accounting for the city’s dynamic nature.
Under Article 3 of the Participation Act, a **household** includes partners and adult children living in the home. Since January 1, 2023, the reduction is set at **40% of the single-person benefit** for each additional cost-sharer. Earlier distinctions, such as a 50% reduction for children, were eliminated for simplicity. The Municipality of Rotterdam may deviate in cases of domestic violence or health-related reasons, as per Article 31, fourth paragraph. This is relevant for Rotterdam residents seeking support from organizations like **Veilig Thuis Rotterdam** (Safe at Home Rotterdam).
The rule also impacts other benefits, such as the **Youth Care Act (Wet jeugdzorg)** and the **Social Support Act (Wmo)**, where cost-sharers’ incomes are considered for personal contributions in Rotterdam’s care arrangements.
How the Cost-Sharing Rule Works in Rotterdam
In practice, the Municipality of Rotterdam applies the **cost-sharing rule** when calculating social assistance under the Participation Act. They assess whether adults in your household share expenses, typically:
- A partner, including registered partners or long-term cohabitants in Rotterdam rental properties.
- Adult children (21+) living at home without their own income, common among students at Erasmus University.
- Occasionally, other residents, such as temporary housemates, if they are considered part of the household.
The reduction starts from the single-person standard of **€1,201.87 net per month in 2023** (excluding holiday pay). With one cost-sharer, this drops by 40% to approximately **€721.12**. For multiple sharers, the reduction applies per person, with a minimum threshold to prevent poverty. Rotterdam residents are advised to seek guidance from the **Rotterdam Legal Desk (Juridisch Loket Rotterdam)** for local nuances.
The rule primarily applies to social assistance; for **AOW (old-age pension)** or **WW (unemployment benefits)**, it is indirectly considered through income checks. The Municipality of Rotterdam will inform you about its application, and you may file an objection with a decision-making authority.
Practical Examples of the Cost-Sharing Rule in Rotterdam
For example, as a single parent in Rotterdam-Feijenoord receiving assistance, if your 22-year-old son—a student at a local university—lives with you without income, the Municipality of Rotterdam will apply the **cost-sharing rule**, reducing your benefit by 40% and adjusting it to a two-person standard with lower per-capita income.
Or, if you share an apartment in Rotterdam-West with your partner earning minimum wage, they count as a cost-sharer, adjusting your assistance to the household standard with a reduction. This can create complications during unemployment, especially in a port city with flexible labor markets.
In cases of informal caregiving: if a family member moves in for care in your Rotterdam home, the rule may apply unless you prove separate expenses (e.g., a private rental contract). In 2022, the **Rotterdam District Court** ruled that informal caregivers are not always considered cost-sharers in care assessments, setting a precedent for local cases.
Rights and Obligations Under the Cost-Sharing Rule in Rotterdam
As a social assistance recipient in Rotterdam, you must report changes in your household within **eight days** (Article 44 of the Participation Act). Failure to do so may result in recovery demands or fines up to **€5,514 in 2023** by the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Your rights include:
- A clear decision from the Municipality of Rotterdam on the rule’s application.
- The right to object and appeal to the **Rotterdam District Court** within six weeks.
- Exemption in exceptional cases, such as domestic violence (Article 31, paragraph 4), with proof from **Veilig Thuis Rotterdam**.
- Additional assistance for extra expenses, such as double rent in the city.
You must provide information about residents and cooperate with visits. Non-compliance may lead to suspension. The **Juridisch Loket Rotterdam** offers free assistance with objections.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost-Sharing Rule in Rotterdam
Does the cost-sharing rule apply to student children in Rotterdam?
Yes, adult students without income living at home count as cost-sharers. Their student financing does not count as income, but the 40% reduction does apply. Request an exemption for temporary stays via the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Can I object to the cost-sharing rule in Rotterdam?
Yes, file an objection within six weeks with the Municipality of Rotterdam. Explain why someone is not a cost-sharer, with evidence such as separate rent payments. The **Council of State (Raad van State)** has ruled in cases (e.g., ECLI:NL:RVS:2019:1234) that the municipality must prove shared expenses, which is locally applicable.