Kinderopvangtoeslag (Child care allowance)

What is Kinderopvangtoeslag?

In the Netherlands, there is a special allowance for child care. This child care allowance is called the Kinderopvangtoeslag. You are entitled to receive the Kinderopvangtoeslag when you are employed and have one or more child(ren) that are going to child care.

When am I entitled to receive Child care allowance?

When you become unemployed during a year, you are still entitled to receive Kinderopvangtoeslag for the remaining months of that year. However, if you are not sure that you will find a job the next year, you have to cancel the Kinderopvangtoeslag at the beginning of the next year. When you find a job during the next year, you are entitled to receive Kinderopvangtoeslag again. You have the right to receive it for the whole year, but the condition is that you have to become employed first in order to receive Kinderopvangtoeslag again.

When your income changes

Due to the fact that you are currently unemployed, your income has probably decreased. Since the amount of Kinderopvangtoeslag is dependent on your income, it is likely that the amount of Kinderopvangtoeslag will change as well. Usually when your income decreases, the Kinderopvangtoeslag increases. Make sure you always notify the Belastingdienst in time when a change in your employment and/or the child care occurs.

Situations in which you must not cancel your Child care allowance

In a couple of situations, you are not obliged to cancel your Kinderopvangtoeslag for the next year when you did become unemployed in the current year. These situations are summed up below:

•You are employed and you are living of benefits (bijstand)
•You receive WWIK (an allowance for artists) and you are involved in a course for labour involvement
•You are younger than 18 years, are living of benefits (bijstand) and you are studying
•You are following an reintegration program, you are unemployed and do not receive any kind of allowance and you are registered an unemployed at the UWV.
•You are following a Dutch citizen integration program in compliance to Dutch law.
•You are following an reintegration program via the UWV or your community.
•You are following an reintegration program via your employer.

How to apply for Child care allowance?

Does your kid(s) go to a childcare centre or childminder in The Netherlands? You can check here (in English) if you are entitled to Kinderopvangtoeslag. Do you want to apply for Child care allowance? Click here to do so at The Belastingdienst. Make sure you have a DigiD and a Dutch citizen service number (BSN).

Do you need any help? We are happy to be at your service.