Recovery surgery measures accelerate

News item | 31-05-2024 | 14:15

The measures taken by the cabinet to accelerate the recovery operation are having an effect. 79% of the parents who are currently recognized as victims have now completed the comprehensive assessment. The backlogs in providing files have also been made up. At the same time, where possible, the government is trying to further improve and accelerate the recovery operation, by focusing in particular on further reducing the waiting times for appeal processing and improving broad support. This is stated in the progress report on Recovery Operation Allowances that Secretary of State De Vries of Finance (Surcharges and Customs) sent to the House of Representatives.

Acceleration

68,921 parents have registered as victims at the Implementation Organization for Recovery of Allowances (UHT). At the end of April, 96% of the registered parents (66,443) had the first test done. It is expected that all first tests will be completed in the coming months. More than 35,300 parents have currently been determined to be victims. From the moment of registration, parents are entitled to support from the municipality where they live. Parents who have been diagnosed as being duped will quickly receive 30,000 euros. In addition, debts are addressed and public debts are canceled. Almost all submitted debts and/or payment arrears have now been settled. This concerns a total amount of 931 million euros. 61% of all registered parents have now completed the comprehensive assessment. It is expected that by the end of the year, more than 75% of all parents will have completed the comprehensive assessment. The remaining comprehensive assessments will be completed in 2025.

Objection Handling Measures

The cabinet would prefer to prevent parents from feeling compelled to object. That's why UHT talks to parents earlier in the process. For example, by giving parents the opportunity to submit an opinion even before a decision is made. In addition, many measures have been taken to deal with submitted objections as quickly as possible. For example, the capacity of the objection department has been further expanded and UHT will continue to use mediation. As a result of the measures taken, the handling of objections has improved. This means that the objections to the first test are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The practice is also that many parents unfortunately have to wait even longer if they object to the comprehensive assessment. In order to further accelerate these concerns, a number of - partly unorthodox - measures are also on the table. In order to reduce the number of objections, we are working to resolve objections with a settlement proposal. This measure has previously been used successfully during the recovery operation in Groningen.

Improvement approach, broad support

Affected parents and young people must be able to make a fresh start in their lives. In addition to financial problems, they have often also encountered problems in other areas, for example in the field of work and care. To help them with this, they can contact their municipality for broad support. This broad support is under pressure due to a number of factors, including the large number of parents, young people and former allowance partners who are entitled to broad support. This means that parents and children are not always able to receive the right support they need in time. In consultation with the municipalities, additional agreements have been made; including about the offer of help, reducing waiting times and improving information exchange with municipalities. It has been agreed that parents and young people will have clarity within six months of their first meeting how the municipality can help them make a fresh start. In consultation with municipalities, it has also been agreed that this process takes a maximum of two years. After that, they can always go to regular assistance by municipalities. These agreements should ensure that parents and young people can make a fresh start, receive appropriate help in time and that they know what support they receive.

See also

• Childcare allowance Topic

Responsible

• Ministry of Finance