Allowances affair - Utrecht Neighborhood Teams

What can we help you with?

The neighborhood team in your district is happy to help you make a fresh start. Think, for example, of:

Gain an overview of your finances
reading, understanding, or answering difficult letters
dealing with stress, worries, or a difficult home situation
finding work or education
discussions with the Benefits Recovery Implementation Organization (UHT)
finding suitable help for yourself or your family
contact with other parents or young people who have gone through the same thing

Who is this support for?

Broad support is available for all parents, young people, and families affected by the benefits scandal. On Utrecht.nl/toeslagenaffaire You can read exactly who this support is intended for. Please note: young people aged 16 and 17 can register themselves.

Are you unsure if broad support is right for you? Then contact touch with Get together with a neighborhood team in the district. You can also contact us directly. mailWe will look together at what is possible in your situation.

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New working method broad support

Since March 1, 2026, there has been a new working method for broad support. The steps, timelines, and forms of assistance are clearly defined so that you have a better understanding of what to expect. This method has been refined because parents and children needed more clarity and predictability. We work with an action plan and determine together what help is needed to make a fresh start. In this way, all teams work in the same manner, ensuring greater calm, clarity, and trust.

In the information sheet 'Broad support' and on nl/toeslagenaffaire You can read a brief explanation of what this means in plain language. You will also find a link here to the complete Broad Support Method (please note: this method is primarily written for involved professionals). You can request the information sheet by emailing toeslagen@jeugd.buurtteamsutrecht.nlDo you have any (other) questions? Feel free to contact your neighborhood team member.

Activities for and by fellow sufferers

Information meetings for fellow sufferers
Every second Tuesday evening of the month, we organize this together with Peer Support Foundation Meetings for parents and young people. You can join in if you want. Many people find it comforting to meet others who have gone through the same thing.

living room
Additionally, a group of fellow sufferers has started a nice place: the Living Room. You can just walk in for a cup of coffee, a chat, or a question. An expert by experience is often present.

every Monday
10.00 - 12.00
Van Bijnkershoeklaan 10 (Blue Room at De Paraplu)
dehuiskamer.utrecht@gmail.com

Join ActieHuis (new)
ActieHuis is a new place where you can meet other victims, share experiences, and take steps towards recovery together. A place for recognition, support, and not having to face things alone. For victims, by victims. Would you like to contribute ideas or simply join? You are most welcome. Follow and sign up via the ActieHuis Facebook group.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I have contacted a neighbourhood team in my district?

After you register, the neighborhood team will contact you. Within ten working days, you will receive an invitation for an initial meeting. You choose where the meeting takes place, who attends, and what you want to discuss.

What are the terms for broad support?

Clear timelines apply to broad support. This way, you know where you stand.

You will receive an invitation for an initial interview within 10 working days of your application.
Within 8 weeks, we will create a first draft of your action plan together. We can extend this period once by 4 weeks.
We can add items to your plan up to 6 months after the first meeting.
We can add intensive support to your plan up to 2 years after the first conversation.

Do you want to know exactly how this works? Then take a look at Utrecht.nl/toeslagenaffaire or request the information sheet 'Broad Support' from the neighborhood team.

What is the SPUK scheme and what does it mean for me?

SPUK stands for specific benefit. This is a sum of money that the municipality of Utrecht receives from the central government. As a victim, you are not entitled to SPUK, but you are entitled to 'broad support'. You can register with us for this. Together we will look at what is needed in your situation. For more information, see the website of the municipality of Utrecht.

What does the child arrangement entail?

Not only parents are victims of the allowance affair, children often are too. That is why the Implementation Organisation for the Recovery of Allowances (UHT) has created the child scheme for them. In addition to money, the scheme also offers support, see this video. Op www.kindregelingvoorjou.nl find more information that can help you further. You can also look at Help for children of affected parents (child arrangement) on the website of the Municipality of Utrecht.

My child has been removed from home due to the childcare allowance affair, what can I do?

For free help you can contact the Support Team (OT). The OT works with you to restore the relationship with your child(ren). If you were removed from home as a child as a result of the benefits affair, you can also contact the OT. For more information, see this website and sign up.

My ex-partner is also a victim of the benefits scandal. Is there help for this?

There is a separate arrangement for ex-partners. Ex-partners covered by this arrangement can also receive broad support. You can find more information on the website of the central governmentAre you unsure what this means in your situation? Then please contact us.

I have a tip or idea for the broad support provided by the neighborhood team. Who can I send it to?

Do you have an idea about how the neighborhood team can help you better? Or how we can better inform you about the help? Let us know, we would love to hear from you! You can send an email to toeslagen@jeugd.buurtteamsutrecht.nl.

You can also share your experience via the Ervaringwijzer. This is an online questionnaire. You will receive a link for this from your neighborhood team member. You complete the Ervaringwijzer anonymously. This means: your name is not requested and we cannot see who has filled out the questionnaire.

I'm not satisfied with the support I received from the neighborhood team. How do I file a complaint?

We are sorry to hear that you are not satisfied! We would be happy to discuss this with you to see if we can find a solution together. If you still wish to file a complaint afterwards, you can of course do so. On the page Complaints and objections we explain how to do that.

I want to object to a decision. How do I do that?

Have you applied for provisions to achieve your goals within the broad support scheme? And do you disagree with the decision regarding this? Then you can do the following.

Reconsideration (new assessment) You can first request a reconsideration from us. An independent team (assessment group) will review your application again. You may then receive a new decision.
Objection
You can also lodge an objection. This must be done within 6 weeks of the decision. You submit the objection to the municipality. If you first request a reconsideration and receive a new decision, you can still lodge an objection afterwards. Send your objection to the Municipality of Utrecht within six weeks. You can read how to do this on the municipality's website on the page. To object.

I have a question or would like help and advice regarding complaints and objections.

Are you struggling with something or do you have a question but aren't sure what to do yet? You don't have to start a complaint or objection immediately. You can also first consult with someone for free to determine the best step.

De client support workers from U Centraal They are happy to think along with you. They provide independent advice and can assist you with a conversation, a complaint, or an objection.

I disagree with the handling of a complaint.

Are you not satisfied with how your complaint was handled? Then check our general page. Complaints and objections. Here you can read who to contact for each situation. You can also contact the Utrecht Ombudsman's Office.

I want to know more about Broad Support in Utrecht.

Would you like more background or to know exactly how broad support works in Utrecht? Then take a look at Utrecht.nl/toeslagenaffaire or request the information sheet 'Broad support' via toeslagen@jeugd.buurtteamsutrecht.nl.