Toeslagen and Benefits on DAFT: What You Can Claim, What You Should Avoid, and How to Apply Without Repayment Surprises

Last reviewed: February 2026. Rules, thresholds, and calculators change often. This article focuses on the decision logic and links you to official sources for the current numbers.

DAFT is DIY-friendly. Dutch benefits and allowances should be, too. The problem is that most English explanations online are either vague or outdated, and the “monthly advance” design of toeslagen can create repayment surprises if you estimate wrong and never update.

This guide is written for US citizens on DAFT (usually a zzp/eenmanszaak, sometimes a BV) who want a clean answer to one question: What am I actually eligible for, and how do I claim it the boring, correct way?

Scope note: This is planning and education, not legal advice. For immigration status questions, verify with the IND. For amounts and eligibility thresholds, use the official calculators linked below.

DAFT-specific reassurance: The IND is explicit that applying for huurtoeslag, zorgtoeslag, kinderopvangtoeslag, and kindgebonden budget does not end your right of residence, and even municipal energietoeslag does not end it either. Read: https://ind.nl/nl/uitkering-uit-algemene-middelen.

If you only do 6 things, do these

If you follow those steps, you will avoid most “surprise repayment” situations and most “I applied for the wrong thing” mistakes.

At a glance: what DAFT entrepreneurs usually can and cannot claim

This is the practical map. Then we go deeper with application steps and the edge cases that hit expats.

ProgramDAFT entrepreneur: usually?What decides it (plain English)
Zorgtoeslag (health insurance allowance)Often yesYou must have Dutch basic health insurance, be 18+, and be under the income and asset limits. Apply via Mijn toeslagen.
Huurtoeslag (rent allowance)Sometimes yes, often no for higher-asset expatsYou need a qualifying rental (usually an independent unit), you must be registered at the address, and the household must pass income + assets. Assets are global.
Kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare allowance)If you have kids in registered childcare and you work, often yesWork requirement + registered childcare + correct hours and costs reporting. No assets cap, but a higher repayment risk if your reporting is sloppy.
Kindgebonden budget (child budget)If you receive Dutch child benefit and pass income/assets, often yesLinked to kinderbijslag (SVB) and household income/assets. If you already get another toeslag, you may receive it automatically if you qualify.
Kinderbijslag (SVB) (child benefit)Often yes if you live in NL and are insured for Dutch social securityHandled by SVB, not Mijn toeslagen. It is about residency and social security insurance, not your business legal form.
Bijstand / Bbz (social assistance)Usually not a DAFT strategyDifferent system, higher immigration sensitivity. If you are at this point, get advice before you move.
WW / WIA (employee unemployment/disability systems)DependsUsually tied to employee history. Most DAFT founders are not in the employee system unless they were employed first.
Municipal schemes (including energietoeslag)SometimesVaries by city and income. The IND explicitly states energietoeslag does not end your right of residence.

Now, let’s make this practical.

First: understand what toeslagen are

Toeslagen are income-dependent allowances. You receive a monthly advance (voorschot) based on an estimated annual household income and, for some toeslagen, an assets test. After the year ends, the government calculates what you were actually entitled to based on your real income and situation. That is the “definitieve berekening.”

This is why repayments happen. It is not a scam. It is an advance system. Official explainer: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslag-terugbetalen/content/toeslag-terugbetalen-na-definitieve-berekening

Practical rule: Build a “toeslagen buffer.” If toeslagen support your monthly cashflow, keep a cushion anyway. A boring strategy is to estimate your income slightly high, then get money back later if you qualified for more.

Deadlines and retroactive claims (this is where people leave money on the table)

For many people, zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag, and kindgebonden budget can be requested after the year ends (within the official deadlines). Kinderopvangtoeslag is different: you must apply within 3 months after you first become entitled or you lose months. Official deadline page: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/tot-wanneer-kan-ik-toeslag-aanvragen

If you have an extension (uitstel) for your Dutch income tax return, the deadline for requesting some toeslagen can also extend. That matters for expats using an accountant and filing later. Again, the official deadline page is the only one worth trusting.

The four rules that control almost everything

Rule 1: You need lawful residence (and sometimes so does your partner)

In general, you must have lawful residence to receive toeslagen. The Toeslagen handbook explains the “koppelingsbeginsel” (linking principle) and how it can extend to partners and medebewoners in some situations: https://handboek.toeslagen.nl/htsn/9-vreemdeling-vreemdeling/

For most DAFT households this is straightforward because everyone has lawful residence. If you have a mixed-status household, do not DIY this. The edge cases are real and can cut off toeslagen unexpectedly.

Rule 2: Your household structure matters (toeslagpartner and medebewoner)

Toeslagen are calculated per household, not per individual. For many expats, the biggest mistake is assuming “my income” matters when the system is actually calculating “our income.”

Use the official toeslagpartner tool to check your status (it is not always the same as “married or not”): https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/hulpmiddel-heb-ik-een-toeslagpartner

For huurtoeslag, there is a second layer: medebewoners (other people registered at your address). Their income and assets can be relevant. This is why “roommate” decisions matter in the Netherlands.

Official huurtoeslag medebewoner page: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/huurtoeslag/content/wie-telt-als-medebewoner

Rule 3: Toetsingsinkomen is an annual number and entrepreneurs should update it often

Toeslagen are based on toetsingsinkomen. If you apply mid-year, you still estimate income for the whole year. Official explainer: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/hoe_werken_toeslagen/kan_ik_toeslag_krijgen/inkomen/inkomen

If your income is variable (welcome to entrepreneurship), the Belastingdienst guidance is blunt: estimate carefully, update when things change, and consider estimating a bit high to reduce repayment risk. Start here: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslag-terugbetalen/content/hoe-voorkom-ik-dat-ik-moet-terugbetalen and https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/ik-heb-een-wisselend-inkomen-heb-ik-recht-op-toeslagen

Rule 4: Vermogen is global for expats and it can quietly disqualify you

Many toeslagen include an assets test (vermogen). For huurtoeslag, zorgtoeslag, and kindgebonden budget, if your assets are too high you get nothing. Official explainer: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/hoe_werken_toeslagen/kan_ik_toeslag_krijgen/vermogen/vermogen

The part expats miss: assets are not “Dutch assets.” They are your assets. Savings, investments, and a second home can count even if they are outside the Netherlands. Debts can reduce the net figure. Your primary home and your car do not count (per the official uitleg).

Reality check: If you moved to the Netherlands with meaningful US savings or a brokerage account, assume you might not qualify for huurtoeslag. Run the proefberekening anyway, but do not build your plan around housing subsidy until the official numbers say yes.

Zorgtoeslag: health insurance allowance

Zorgtoeslag is the most common allowance in DAFT households. If you are required to have Dutch basic health insurance, and your household income and assets are low enough, zorgtoeslag can offset part of your monthly premium.

Official starting points: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/zorgtoeslag/voorwaarden/voorwaarden-zorgtoeslag and https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/zorgverzekering/vraag-en-antwoord/kan-ik-zorgtoeslag-krijgen

What actually matters (the short version)

The decision logic is simple: you must be 18+, you must have a Dutch health insurance policy, and your household must be under the income and assets limits. If you have a toeslagpartner, their income and assets are included, and the conditions apply to both of you.

The “I am covered abroad” trap

Many Americans arrive with travel insurance, expat health insurance, or a US policy. That can be fine for travel. It is not the same thing as being insured under Dutch basic health insurance. If you are required to be insured in the Netherlands and you delay, you can create fines and administrative problems. If you are unsure, verify your obligation first.

Related article: For the full decision logic (and how to avoid fines), read: Health Insurance on DAFT.

How to apply and what to keep

You apply through Mijn toeslagen: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/inloggen-op-mijn-toeslagen. If your income changes, update it in Mijn toeslagen or the app: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/werk-en-inkomen/content/mijn-inkomen-verandert-moet-ik-dat-doorgeven

Keep a simple evidence trail: your policy start date, proof you pay premiums (bank transactions), and any correspondence about your insurance obligation. If you ever need to defend your timeline, you want it boring and documented.

Edge case: if you live, work, or study abroad, zorgtoeslag can sometimes still apply depending on your insurance situation. Use the official page linked from the voorwaarden screen: conditions page.

Huurtoeslag: rent allowance

Huurtoeslag is the most misunderstood allowance for expats. People hear “rent allowance” and assume it is common. In reality, it is sensitive to your household income, who is registered at your address, and your global assets position. Many DAFT households miss it because of assets, not because the rent is too high.

Official starting points: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/huurtoeslag/voorwaarden/voorwaarden and https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/woning-huren/vraag-en-antwoord/kan-ik-huurtoeslag-krijgen

2026 changes that matter (so you stop reading outdated advice)

From 2026, there is no maximum rent limit for eligibility, and service costs no longer count toward the rent calculation. However, the allowance is still calculated using a maximum rent amount (so the benefit does not grow forever if your rent is extremely high). Official explanation (including the 2026 calculation caps): https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/huurtoeslag/content/huurtoeslag-verandert-vanaf-2026

What your rental must look like

In general, huurtoeslag is for a qualifying rental, usually a self-contained (zelfstandig) unit with its own front door and key facilities. You also must be registered at the address. If you are in a room rental or a living arrangement without independence, assume you may not qualify unless the official checker says you do.

A detail that matters more than people expect: the official voorwaarden explicitly say you must be able to prove rent payments with bank statements. Pay rent through your bank, not cash.

Timing trap: if you are not registered on the 1st, you can lose a month

Huurtoeslag starts on the 1st of a month. If you are not registered at your address on the 1st day of the month, the allowance typically starts the following month. This is one reason the BRP registration step matters so much when you move.

Medebewoners vs under-tenants (onderhuurders)

For huurtoeslag, anyone registered at your address is usually treated as a medebewoner, and their income and assets can count. Official explainer: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/huurtoeslag/content/wie-telt-als-medebewoner

There is a carve-out that matters in tight housing markets: an under-tenant (onderhuurder) does not count for your huurtoeslag in many cases. This is not “someone lives with me.” It is a defined arrangement with conditions and documentation.

Before you assume anything, read the official pages: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/wijzigingen_doorgeven/welke_wijzigingen_moet_ik_doorgeven/wonen/ik_krijg_een_onderhuurder/ik_krijg_een_onderhuurder

Practical warning: If you want a housemate to be treated as an under-tenant, set it up properly. An “informal roommate” arrangement can become a future dispute with Dienst Toeslagen because it changes who counts in your household.

For the broader housing reality, predatory tactics, and how internationals get pressured into overpaying, see our housing protection guide: Renting in the Netherlands on DAFT: How to Avoid Getting Played.

Kinderopvangtoeslag: childcare allowance

If you have kids and you are building a DAFT business, childcare costs can crush your runway. Kinderopvangtoeslag is the mechanism that can make childcare financially possible. It is also the toeslag with the highest administrative sensitivity because hours, contracts, and providers can change during the year.

Official starting points: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/kinderopvangtoeslag/kinderopvangtoeslag and verify the childcare provider in the LRK register: https://www.landelijkregisterkinderopvang.nl/

Eligibility and what expats usually get wrong

Eligibility is driven by the work requirement (you, and if applicable your partner), the childcare being registered, and accurate reporting of hours and costs. One important difference versus other toeslagen: there is no assets cap for kinderopvangtoeslag. That is confirmed on the official “vermogen” page for toeslagen.

Official “no assets cap for childcare” reference: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/hoeveel-vermogen-mag-ik-hebben

What people get wrong is not “eligibility.” It is administration. They do not update hours, they do not update income, or they do not understand the maximum hourly rate rules. That is how repayments happen.

The 3‑month rule: apply fast or you lose months

You can apply as soon as you have signed the childcare contract (your child must have a BSN). If you apply later, you must still apply within 3 months after childcare starts or you lose entitlement for earlier months. Official page: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/kinderopvangtoeslag/content/hoe-moet-ik-kinderopvangtoeslag-aanvragen

Hours and rates: the two numbers you must keep correct

For hours, there is an official cap: you can receive childcare allowance for up to 230 hours per month per child. Official page: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/kinderopvangtoeslag/hoeveel-kinderopvangtoeslag-kan-ik-krijgen/voor-hoeveel-uur-kinderopvangtoeslag

For rates, the government reimburses a percentage of the maximum hourly price, not necessarily what your provider charges. If your provider’s hourly rate is higher, you pay the difference. That is normal. It is not a sign you are doing it wrong.

Maximum hourly rates per year are here (including 2026 values): https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/kinderopvangtoeslag/hoeveel-kinderopvangtoeslag-kan-ik-krijgen/maximaal-uurtarief-voor-de-kinderopvang

2026 note: Dienst Toeslagen publishes an annual overview of changes and maximum hourly rates. If you are reading this later, do not trust blog posts. Trust the official update page and the calculator: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen-2026/topics/veranderingen-toeslagen-2026

DAFT entrepreneur edge cases (work proof, variable hours, and stopping work)

Entrepreneurs can receive kinderopvangtoeslag, but you should assume you may need to demonstrate that you are genuinely working. Do not overcomplicate this. Keep a simple business trail: invoices sent, payments received, calendar entries, and your bookkeeping system (Moneybird, etc.). You are not trying to “win an audit.” You are trying to make your life boring if you ever need to explain yourself.

Official entrepreneur page (worth reading even if you never have kids): https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/kinderopvangtoeslag/content/ik-ben-zzp-er

Also know the “stop working” rule: if you stop working, you often still have a short period (for example 3 months) where you can keep the allowance while you transition. The official entrepreneur page explains these cases (stop working, illness, pregnancy). Do not rely on hearsay. Use the official page.

How to apply and what to keep

When you apply, you will need your childcare contract details (provider, LRK number, start date, hours, hourly rate) and your income estimate. Once you receive the allowance, treat childcare data updates like payroll. Review monthly.

If something changes, the official “what to do when childcare changes” page is here: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/kinderopvangtoeslag/content/er-verandert-iets-in-de-kinderopvang-wat-moet-ik-doen

Kindgebonden budget and kinderbijslag: child budget and child benefit

These two are constantly confused. They are separate systems.

Kinderbijslag is a benefit paid by the SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank). Kindgebonden budget is a toeslag paid by Dienst Toeslagen and is an extra income-dependent contribution on top of kinderbijslag.

Official starting points: SVB child benefit overview: https://www.svb.nl/nl/kinderbijslag and Dienst Toeslagen kindgebonden budget: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/kindgebonden-budget/kindgebonden-budget

Step 1: confirm you are insured for kinderbijslag

Most DAFT families living and working in the Netherlands are insured for Dutch social security, but there are exceptions (especially if you live in NL and work in another country). The SVB explains the logic here: https://www.svb.nl/nl/kinderbijslag/wat-is-kinderbijslag/verzekerd-zijn-voor-de-kinderbijslag

The “automatic” part most people miss

If you already receive certain toeslagen, you may not need to separately apply for kindgebonden budget. Dienst Toeslagen explains this clearly here: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/kindgebonden-budget/content/hoe-moet-ik-kindgebonden-budget-aanvragen

If you think you qualify and nothing happens, do not wait forever. Run the proefberekening and apply via Mijn toeslagen if needed. Also note: the parent who has the SVB child benefit in their name must be the applicant for kindgebonden budget, per the official apply page.

Asset timing detail: 1 January matters

For kindgebonden budget, assets are tested on 1 January. If you have too much on 1 January, you have no right for the whole year. If your assets become too high later in the year, you can still have a right this year, but maybe not next year. Official explanation: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/kindgebonden-budget/voorwaarden/vermogen/vermogen-kindgebonden-budget

Other benefits people ask about (and what to do instead)

Bijstand and Bbz

If you are a DAFT founder and you are thinking about bijstand or entrepreneur assistance programs, treat it as a signal that your plan needs a reset. These are not “normal DAFT planning tools.” They are last-resort systems with different eligibility logic and higher immigration sensitivity.

If you want the official framing from the IND, read: https://ind.nl/nl/uitkering-uit-algemene-middelen

WW / WIA

These are employee-linked systems. If you were previously employed in the Netherlands and then became self-employed, you may have questions. Most DAFT entrepreneurs who arrive as entrepreneurs do not have an immediate WW entitlement. Do not assume. If this matters for your plan, verify your position with a professional.

Municipal schemes (including energietoeslag)

Municipal schemes vary by city and income. If you qualify, your municipality will usually publish the criteria and application process. The only universal point worth stating here: the IND explicitly states that receiving energietoeslag does not end your right of residence.

How to apply: the clean, repeatable method

Step 0: Do the proefberekening first

Start with the official calculator and print or save the result for your notes: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/hulpmiddel-proefberekening-toeslagen

This is how you avoid weeks of anxiety. You do not need Reddit guesses. You need the calculator.

Step 1: Get your admin chain working (BSN and DigiD)

Toeslagen live behind DigiD. If you do not have BSN and DigiD yet, you are blocked. That is not personal. That is the system.

Related article: BRP, BSN, DigiD: The Dutch Admin Chain That Unlocks Everything.

Step 2: Apply in Mijn toeslagen (free), and remember: you apply once

You apply through Mijn toeslagen: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/inloggen-op-mijn-toeslagen. Applying is free. You generally apply once, and if you remain eligible it can continue automatically. Official explainer: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/ik-wil-een-toeslag-aanvragen

In practice, the application asks for your household composition, an estimated annual income, and (for some toeslagen) information that affects assets and living situation. The system calculates an advance and pays monthly.

Step 3: Use the Toeslagen app for quick updates (but not first-time applications)

The Toeslagen app is excellent for checking and changing data, but you cannot apply for a new toeslag inside the app. Official app page: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/app-toeslagen

Step 4: As a DAFT entrepreneur, keep your income estimate updated

If your income is variable, update your estimate. Start with: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/hoe-zorg-ik-dat-jullie-mijn-toeslag-met-het-juiste-inkomen-berekenen and https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslagen/content/wat-is-mijn-toetsingsinkomen

A boring routine is to review your toeslagen estimates quarterly. If you file VAT quarterly, pair it with a toeslagen check so it becomes automatic.

Internal system link: If you want a finance-first routine that supports this, read: DAFT Bookkeeping That Actually Works and Getting Paid, Invoicing, and VAT on DAFT.

Step 5: Report changes within 4 weeks

Dienst Toeslagen states it plainly: if something changes in your situation, you must report it within 4 weeks via Mijn toeslagen or the app. Reference: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/wijzigingen_doorgeven/wijzigingen_doorgeven

Changes include income changes, partner or household changes, moving addresses, childcare contract changes, and rent changes.

Step 6: Keep a “proof pack” per toeslag

If you want this to be boring, keep a simple folder (digital is fine) with:

  • Zorgtoeslag: insurance policy start date, premium payments (bank transactions).
  • Huurtoeslag: rental contract, proof of registration (BRP), rent payments via bank, and any under-tenant agreements if applicable.
  • Kinderopvangtoeslag: childcare contract, LRK registration, invoices and proof of payment, and monthly hours and rate changes.
  • Kindgebonden budget: SVB child benefit confirmation and household changes (partner, address, custody changes if relevant).

The goal is not paranoia. The goal is “if I have to explain this later, it takes 5 minutes.”

Step 7: If you move abroad, stop or adjust immediately

Some toeslagen stop when you no longer live in the Netherlands (huurtoeslag is a clear example). Others can sometimes continue depending on your situation (for example, in some cases linked to insurance or child benefit). Use the official “moving abroad” page and do not guess: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/wijzigingen_doorgeven/welke_wijzigingen_moet_ik_doorgeven/wonen/ik_verhuis_naar_het_buitenland/ik_verhuis_naar_het_buitenland

Stopping a toeslag: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/prive/toeslagen/toeslag_stopzetten/ik-wil-mijn-toeslag-stopzetten

Step 8: If you get a repayment letter, do not panic, but do not ignore it

If you need to repay, you can often pay in installments. Dienst Toeslagen explains the standard payment arrangement (up to 24 months) and the option for a personal payment arrangement if 24 months is not feasible: https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslag-terugbetalen/content/kan-ik-een-betalingsregeling-krijgen and https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/toeslag-terugbetalen/content/persoonlijke-betalingsregeling-toeslagen

The practical move is to address it quickly. Repayments become stressful when people ignore letters and then get hit with collection actions. Do not give the system the chance to escalate.

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Author: lloydnapier

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