Marieke (45) ends decisive misery with a settlement: 'I scares my future'

She is unwittingly the face of the duped allowance parents in Apeldoorn. With the signing of a settlement, Marieke Jonker (45) can now put an end to the affair. “If only it were so. I'm the best bang for a black hole.”

Ingrid Willems 18-05-25, 19:00

She sat there, on Monday, May 12, with her boyfriend in The Hague. To sign the settlement with the government. Deputies from the Ministry of Finance were there.

“The official asked if I wanted to say anything else. But what should I say? He is also just doing his job. He wasn't involved when things went so wrong with all those parents who were unfairly received from the tax authorities for their childcare allowance.”

So Marieke Jonker was one of them. She is one of the faces behind the many victims in the country. She left her story in several times the Stentor record:

- Marieke from Apeldoorn recovers after all the misery: “relinquish 1000 euros a month...”

- Marieke (43) isn't done with the tax authorities yet after the benefits affair: 'This is almost going to be very difficult'

- Marieke (43) slept on a bench in the Apeldoorn park for nights: 'I thought I'd ride my bike into the canal. '

In 2008, the Apeldoorn girl ended up in misery after they received the first attack from several that followed from the tax authorities. In 2021, she was recognized as a victim of the benefits affair. A few days after the signing, it looks removed; now the process with the government has been completed.

Is there a last one off your shoulders?

“No, I don't feel much change in my life compared to a few days ago. And it's not possible to end the benefits affair.”

“It's a semicolon. The point because I'm now rid of the Ministry of Finance, the comma before the emotional part. You won't just erase that affair. Although I hope that the sharp edges will come off over the years.”

Was it difficult to reach a settlement?

“The process was tough. You have to tell your story. From the start and down to the smallest details. That brings out a lot of pain. Like the moment I couldn't take care of my daughter anymore and had to take her to my ex. That's not what you want as a mother. That still failed me enormously.”

How is the amount of settlement with similar emotions determined?

“I'm not going to mention the amount I signed for. Analysts go through the whole story and have their own check system. Very businesslike. You can choose whether you want such a settlement or not. I've decided to sign. Going further takes time, energy and emotion. That's not good for my mental well-being.”

What about your mental wellbeing?

“It's quite double. On the one hand, I'm relieved to be rid of the ministry. That that battle has been waged. I also feel a bit guilty, because two close friends are still in the process, like many other victims.”

Can you rate your life today?

“I find that difficult. I have a very sweet friend and I have a great job in childcare. Lovely people around me. And my daughter, who is now 23, is doing well. But I'm also afraid of the future. Because I don't know myself well.”

How is that?

“For the past nearly twenty years, I had to survive. For example, I really want to make my home my home now. Honestly, I have no idea what style I like. The choices for furniture have always been about practicality and cheapness. And always ask yourself: do I really need that? I need to find my own identity now.”

Do you have help getting to know yourself?

“At the municipality of Apeldoorn, there is broad support for victims of the benefits affair. Several municipalities do that. There I get guidance to discover what is normal. Through the municipality, I now have a therapist who helps me get started.”

Do you have faith in the future?

“To be honest, the future scares the hell out of me. I'm also afraid of a black hole because I've been stuck in this file for so long. But that didn't stop me from signing the settlement, because for my mental well-being, I need to close that part with the ministry now.”

“I'm entering a new phase. Exciting. Somehow, I still have the fear that the tax authorities or another government agency will be back on the doorstep fluently. Even if I don't deserve a normal life.”

Has the benefits affair perhaps also resulted in something positive?

“It's not just misery. I think I've become stronger. Know a bit more about how things work in life. Not just regulations and government, but also how people can live.”

“I also find it positive that I look at others in a less justified and more open way. It was a difficult lesson, but it also taught me something.”