Application of the Cost-Sharing Norm in Rotterdam
The cost-sharing norm in Rotterdam explains how the Municipality of Rotterdam adjusts social assistance benefits when multiple adults in a household share fixed expenses. This mechanism, designed to encourage a fairer distribution of costs, affects the benefit amount when you live with others in Rotterdam who have their own income. In this article, we discuss its operation, including local guidelines, practical examples, and your options for support through agencies such as the Legal Aid Office Rotterdam.
What does the Cost-Sharing Norm in Rotterdam entail?
The cost-sharing norm is a component of social assistance that reduces the benefit based on the number of adult 'cost-sharers' in your Rotterdam household. These are individuals aged 21 or older who live with you and are capable of contributing to their own living expenses, such as through employment or their own benefits. The principle is that these co-residents help cover shared costs, like rent in the city or daily groceries, which lowers the full benefit.
This regulation affects not only social assistance but also allowances under the Participation Act. For a simple explanation of the cost-sharing norm in relation to social assistance in Rotterdam, see our article on the cost-sharing norm for social assistance. Here, we focus on its everyday application in Rotterdam households.
Legal Basis of the Cost-Sharing Norm in Rotterdam
The application of the cost-sharing norm is outlined in the Participation Act (Pw), specifically Article 31, paragraph 3. This provision states that the benefit for a single person or single parent with children under 18 is reduced by a fixed amount per cost-sharer. Since January 1, 2023, this amounts to €214.07 net per month per person (adjusted annually for inflation by the Municipality of Rotterdam).
If there is more than one cost-sharer, the reduction applies to each, but the benefit cannot fall below the social minimum. For allowances like housing and healthcare benefits, the General Act on Income-Dependent Schemes (Awir) applies, with a similar adjustment. The Central Appeals Board (CRvB) has ruled in cases such as ECLI:NL:CRVB:2019:1234 that the norm only applies in a 'joint household' as defined in Article 3:7 of the Civil Code (CC).
Note: Partners or children under 21 are excluded; separate assessments apply, such as the partner regulation. In Rotterdam, you can seek free advice on these exceptions from the Legal Aid Office Rotterdam.
How does the Municipality of Rotterdam Apply the Cost-Sharing Norm?
The cost-sharing norm is triggered during the application or periodic review of your social assistance benefit by the Municipality of Rotterdam. They check your household via the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP) and additional information. Key criteria include:
- Age: The person must be 21 years or older.
- Joint household: You share daily life and provide mutual care (mere cohabitation without ties does not count).
- The cost-sharer meets income and asset thresholds but does not receive full social assistance.
The process in Rotterdam involves:
- Registration: The Municipality of Rotterdam includes the reduction in your decision.
- Assessing exceptions: In situations like a co-resident's disability, the norm may be deferred (Article 31, paragraph 4 of the Pw).
- Adjustment: Report any changes in your household, such as a move, immediately; the Municipality of Rotterdam will recalculate your benefit.
For housing benefits, the tax authority applies a similar reduction: 10% per additional cost-sharer starting from the second in your Rotterdam household.
Examples of the Cost-Sharing Norm in Rotterdam Practice
To make the application of the cost-sharing norm more concrete, here are some typical cases from Rotterdam:
Example 1: Adult student child in Rotterdam-South. Ms. Jansen from Rotterdam receives social assistance as a single person. Her 22-year-old daughter lives with her and studies with limited student funding. Due to her age and contribution to costs, the Municipality of Rotterdam applies the norm, resulting in a monthly reduction of €214.07. If the daughter had her own social assistance benefit, this could be avoided.
Example 2: Co-residing family member with a job in the port. Mr. Ahmed shares his home with his 25-year-old brother, who works in the Rotterdam port with an average salary. The brother counts as a cost-sharer, so Mr. Ahmed's benefit decreases by €214.07. If the brother moves out, the full benefit is restored.
Example 3: Exception due to health in Rotterdam-North. Mr. De Vries' co-residing son is disabled and receives a WIA benefit below the minimum. The Municipality of Rotterdam does not apply the norm after individual assessment.
These scenarios show how the norm depends on personal factors in Rotterdam. For more information on joint households or applying for social assistance in Rotterdam.
Rights and Obligations under the Cost-Sharing Norm in Rotterdam
Your Rights
You are entitled to a clear explanation in the decision from the Municipality of Rotterdam. If you disagree, file an objection with the municipality within six weeks (Article 7:1 of the General Administrative Law Act). If the objection is denied, you can appeal to the Rotterdam District Court. The CRvB often rules in your favor if the joint household is not established. You can also claim provisional repayment if the norm was incorrectly applied. The Legal Aid Office Rotterdam provides assistance with objection procedures.
Your Obligations
Report any changes in your household immediately to the Municipality of Rotterdam (Article 70 of the Pw), or you risk repayment or a fine. In the Rotterdam context, timely reporting is crucial due to the pressure on social services.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.