Increase social security benefits 22 thousand in 2009
- 281 thousand social security benefits
- Increase by 9 percent
- Sharpest increase among men under the age of 35
- Most benefit recipients are singles
According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, the amount of social security benefits to persons younger than 65 rose by 22 thousand in 2009. By the end of last year, 281 thousand social security benefits were paid. The sharpest increase was recorded in the category men under 35.
In the period March 2005–December 2008, the number of social security benefits was reduced by 80 thousand. At the end of December 2008, the number of social security benefits stood at 259 thousand and has subsequently grown by 9 percent.
The most substantial increase was recorded among under-35 males. Last year, the amount of benefits in this age and gender category rose by 38 percent. The increase in the category females under 35 was 11 percent. Young people with short employment records qualify for unemployment benefits only for a limited period of time and then become dependent on social security.
Most social security recipients are single. At the end of last year, 170 thousand singles received social security benefits, an 11 percent increase on the end of 2008. The increase among single parents and (married) couples was 4 and 5 percent respectively.
Since 1 October 2009, young people under the age of 27 applying for social security are no longer eligible to benefits under the Act on Work and Income Support (WWB), which has been replaced by the Act Investing in Youth (WIJ). Under the WIJ, municipal authorities are obliged to offer under-27-year-olds a job, vocational training or a combination of both. Under certain conditions, they may still qualify for income support. In December 2009, nearly 4 thousand WIJ benefits were paid. Young people under the age of 27 who were entitled to a WWB benefit on 1 October 2009, retain that right until 1 July 2010.
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