Please note: you can still get a lot of money back until September (apply as follows)

Did you know that about 1 in 10 households is eligible for benefits like housing benefit and healthcare allowance, but many people forget to apply? And that's a shame, because you could easily receive a refund of more than €1,000. Fortunately, you can apply for your healthcare allowance, housing benefit, and child benefit retroactively until September 1, 2025.

Metro explains how to do that here.

First of all, it's important to know that you can apply for benefits for 2024 retroactively until September 1, 2025. You can no longer apply for benefits for 2023. Did you already have a benefit that you stopped but now want to reapply? Then you have more time. You can still apply for that benefit after September 1 of the following year. You don't apply through My Benefits, but by sending a letter requesting a review of the termination. To do this, send a letter with the following information:

• Clearly state "Request to review a decision" at the top of your letter. Include the decision number or reference number of the decision. You can find this at the top of previous letters.
• Please state your citizen service number, name, address and the telephone number where you can be reached during the day.
• Explain why you disagree with the decision about your benefits. Please include copies of the supporting documents. Write your Citizen Service Number (BSN) in the top right corner of each page.
• Please include the date of your request and sign the letter.
• Send the letter to: Benefits Department, PO Box 4510, 6401 JA Heerlen.

Housing benefit is a contribution towards rent. If you live in a rental property , you may be eligible. The amount of the benefit depends on the rent, your income, your age, and your living situation. If your assets are too high, you will not receive housing benefit. You can check the exact requirements for housing benefit here .

If you have a low income, you may also be entitled to healthcare allowance . This is a contribution towards the costs of your health insurance and the mandatory deductible. You can apply for healthcare allowance retroactively for the past year. The amount of healthcare allowance you receive depends on your income and age. You can do a sample calculation here to see if you're eligible.

The child-related budget is a monthly amount you receive from the government. It helps you cover some of your child's expenses. You receive this amount in addition to your child benefit. You can also do a trial calculation for this first.

Because not everyone is entitled to a benefit, it's important to check your eligibility and how much you'll receive before applying for it. You can easily do this at toeslagen.nl/proefberekening. Follow these steps:

• Gather the information you need for your application. You can find out what you need at toeslagen.nl. This information varies by benefit.
• Have you gathered all the information? Then you're now ready to submit the application.
• To do this, log in to mijntoeslagen.nl. You'll now see an overview of all benefits. Click on the benefits you want to apply for and answer the question.
• Completed your form? Review your application and click "Approve and Send." You'll now see a confirmation of your application.
• You will usually receive a letter within 5 weeks with the amount of your allowance.
• For more information, visit toeslagen.nl/aanvragen.

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