Rent Allowance Remission in Rotterdam: When Possible?

In Rotterdam, where rental prices in neighbourhoods such as Delfshaven and Feijenoord are often sky-high, you can apply for remission of rent allowance debts in cases of severe financial hardship. This is possible if your income is below the social assistance level (in Rotterdam around €1,200 net per month for single persons in 2024) and your assets do not exceed the exemption threshold (€7,575 for single persons). Contact the Rotterdam Tax Hotline or submit a request via the national form 'Request for Remission of Benefits Debt' on toeslagen.nl, supplemented with supporting documents such as recent payslips, rental agreements from housing associations Woonbron or Vestia, and expenditure overviews including Rotterdam energy costs. The Tax Authorities assess on the basis of 'excusability': no fraud or gross negligence, and demonstrable inability to pay due to, for example, sky-high living expenses in the port city. If approved, the debt is remitted in full or in part. Refusal? File an objection with the Tax Authorities and, if necessary, contact the Rotterdam Legal Aid Office for free advice. Practical examples from Rotterdam: chronically ill persons with high care costs via Erasmus MC or those on minimum income with childcare in IJsselmonde have a good chance. Exclusions remain: intent or gross negligence blocks remission. Combine this with exceptional assistance from the Rotterdam municipality for rent and living expenses relief via the Wmo desk. This way, in the Maasstad, you shake off the unaffordable debt and start afresh.