Necessary Costs Assessment in Special Assistance in Tilburg
Necessary costs in Tilburg are expenditures that cannot be postponed and are crucial for your basic needs, health or safety. The municipality of Tilburg decides whether these costs qualify for Special Assistance. This assessment is a crucial moment for people in acute financial difficulties.
What counts as necessary costs in Tilburg?
Necessary costs concern unavoidable expenditures that directly relate to your daily living or urgent needs. Examples:
- Essential groceries (e.g. if your refrigerator is broken and you have no reserves)
- Urgent medical expenses (such as new glasses, prescription medication or an acute procedure)
- Repair of vital household appliances (e.g. heater, stove or washing machine)
- Emergency shelter or temporary housing (e.g. in case of forced departure from home)
- Mandatory travel costs (e.g. to a job interview or doctor's appointment)
The municipality of Tilburg checks whether the costs are unavoidable and you cannot bear them yourself, in accordance with the Special Assistance Act (article 1 paragraph 1).
Legal frameworks for assessment in Tilburg
The rules for necessary costs are set out in:
- Special Assistance Act (Wbb), article 1 paragraph 1: "Special assistance addresses neediness that cannot be resolved by regular means."
- Decree on special assistance, article 2.1: "Reimbursement for unavoidable necessary costs."
- Policy rules Municipality of Tilburg: Tilburg follows the local special assistance by-law, inspired by national guidelines.
Tilburg applies strict criteria:
- Urgent nature (e.g. broken heating in winter).
- No alternatives (no own resources, loans or other benefits such as participation benefit).
- Reasonableness (essential repair yes, luxury purchase no).
Examples of necessary costs in Tilburg
Typical cases in Tilburg, subject to individual assessment:
| Category | Example | Reimbursed in Tilburg? |
|---|---|---|
| Food | No money for weekly groceries due to broken refrigerator. | Yes, if demonstrable need. |
| Health | Glasses needed for work, not covered by basic insurance. | Yes, if medically necessary. |
| Housing | Temporary shelter due to uninhabitable rental property. | Yes, in case of acute danger. |
| Travel | Bus to job interview in Tilburg Centre. | Yes, if job is crucial. |
| Non-necessary | New TV or outing. | No, except exception (e.g. work phone). |
Your rights and steps in Tilburg
Rights
- Reasoned decision: Tilburg must explain why it is or is not reimbursed.
- Objection and appeal: First objection with the municipality, then District Court Zeeland-West-Brabant, Wilhelminapark 100, Tilburg.
- Free advice: Contact Legal Counter Tilburg, Spoorlaan 364.
How to apply
Submit your application via tilburg.nl with supporting documents. Decision within 8 weeks.
Last updated: 2024. Always check the current rules with the municipality of Tilburg.