Municipal emergency allowance: your right to assistance in emergency situations
A municipal emergency allowance is a temporary financial contribution provided by the municipality if you find yourself in an acute emergency situation and cannot or do not wish to receive other assistance. This scheme is part of the Special Assistance Act and can help with unexpected costs, such as a broken refrigerator or necessary travel expenses. Read here how to claim it and what your rights and obligations are.
What is a municipal emergency allowance?
A municipal emergency allowance is a form of special assistance temporarily provided by the municipality if you are in an acute financial emergency. It concerns one-off or short-term assistance, for example for:
- Unexpected necessary costs, such as a broken washing machine or a leak in your roof.
- Costs for medically necessary care not covered by health insurance.
- Travel expenses to an important appointment (e.g., a job interview or hospital visit).
- Costs for necessary food supplies if your income temporarily ceases.
The emergency allowance is not intended as structural assistance. If your financial problems persist longer, you may qualify for social assistance or other forms of social support.
Legal basis
The rules for the municipal emergency allowance are laid down in the Special Assistance Act (Wbb), in particular:
- Article 1: Objective of special assistance (support in emergency situations).
- Article 2: Conditions for granting (necessity, unavoidability, no other assistance possible).
- Article 3: The municipality must first investigate whether you are entitled to other schemes (e.g., supplementary benefit or employment provisions).
- Article 10: The municipality may refuse the emergency allowance if you could have prevented the costs yourself.
In addition, the General Administrative Law Act (Awb) and the Client Complaints Act in the Care Sector (Wkc) apply if you are dissatisfied with the handling of your application.
When are you entitled to an emergency allowance?
To qualify for a municipal emergency allowance, three conditions must be met:
- Necessity: You need immediate assistance to resolve an acute situation. Think of a broken boiler on a cold winter day or necessary medication costs.
- Unavoidable: The costs are absolutely necessary and cannot be postponed. For example: a broken refrigerator causing food spoilage.
- No other assistance possible: You have no entitlement to other schemes (e.g., benefits such as supplementary benefit or healthcare allowance) or you do not wish to invoke them.
Important: The municipality may not oblige you to first apply for other assistance, but they must first investigate whether other schemes are possible.
Examples of situations in which you can apply for an emergency allowance
| Situation | Example | Can the municipality help? |
|---|---|---|
| Necessary household costs | A broken washing machine that no longer dries your laundry, causing you to become ill. | Yes, if you have no savings or other assistance. |
| Medical emergency costs | You need glasses for work, but your health insurance does not fully cover it. | Yes, if the costs are necessary for your health or work. |
| Travel expenses | You must take the train to a job interview, but have no money for a ticket. | Yes, if it concerns an important appointment and you have no other options. |
| Food supplies | Your income ceases due to illness and you have no food reserves. | Yes, if you need immediate assistance to prevent hunger. |
| Not applicable | You want to buy a new TV. | No, this is not a necessary expense. |
How do you apply for a municipal emergency allowance?
The procedure for applying for an emergency allowance differs per municipality