Living allowance for Ukrainian refugees
Do you live as a refugee in a shelter in Utrecht? And do you not have a paid job and do not receive any Dutch benefits? We can help you with living allowance.
Applying for shelter and living allowance not possible
At the moment the shelter in the Jaarbeurs is closed indefinitely. As long as the shelter is closed, you cannot apply for municipal shelter. And you cannot apply for living allowance either. Exceptions:
- do you live in a private shelter in Utrecht? Then you can apply for living allowance.
- are you already living in a municipal shelter in Utrecht and registered in the BRP? And did you not need living allowance before, but now you do because of a change in your situation? Please send an e-mail to leefgeldoekraine@utrecht.nl and we will contact you.
Report changes
Are you receiving living allowance? Or have you applied for it? And did you find a job or move? Are you eligible for Dutch benefits? Or will you be away for more than 14 days? You are required to report changes to us immediately.
Conditions for getting living allowance
You can receive living allowance if:
- You fled Ukraine, and
- You (and your partner) do not have a paid job and do not receive any Dutch benefits, and
- You live in a municipal or private shelter in the Municipality of Utrecht, and
- You fall under the Temporary Protection Directive (RTB), and
- You are registered in the Municipality's Personal Records Database (BRP). Or: you have already made your appointment for registration.
- Not yet registered? Please make an appointment.
- Can't you register for some reason? Then email leefgeldoekraine@utrecht.nl
Arrange as soon as possible
- Your proof of residency (IND-sticker in passport or on paper, or a pass).
- Your registration in the Municipality's BRP.
- A Dutch bank account. For all adults (18+), except (marriage) partners. If you don't have one, please open an account. Is it not possible to open one quickly? You will receive a temporary BNG debit card.
What should I bring to the appointment?
You and the other members of your family or group should bring:
- A valid identification document.
- Your proof of residency (IND-sticker).
- Proof about your shelter (unless you live in a municipal shelter):
- Living in a private shelter? Please bring a completed Declaration of Lodging (PDF, 65 kB).
- Living independently? The living allowance is only meant for people living in municipal or private shelter.
- A Dutch bank card or a document with your IBAN and name. For all adults, except (marriage) partners.
- Do you not have a Dutch bank account yet? Then you will receive a BNG debit card (only in Dutch). We will pay your living allowance for a maximum of 3 months via this card.
Making an appointment
You can make an appointment if:
- You want to apply for living allowance
- You already receive or have applied for living allowance, but you have a question. For example, about returning to Ukraine, temporarily leaving the shelter, or financial issues.
- You have a paid job or receive benefits, but you are unable to make ends meet. For example, because you earn less than the amount of living allowance you would receive.
The appointments will take place at the Municipal Office (Stadsplateau 1). To make an appointment, you need an email address.
What are the monthly amounts per person?
Adults and children receive a living allowance every month. The living allowance consists of:
- Money for clothing and personal expenses
- Money for food and drink: You only receive money for food and drink if you do not get meals in your municipal shelter. Small families receive a higher amount per person than larger families.
- Extra allowance for refugees living with a host family. You can use the extra amount to contribute to the expenses of your host family. This is not mandatory.
Below you can read the amounts for clothing, food and drink and the extra allowance. These amounts depend on your age and family size. The amount depends on your age, whether you live with a host family or in a municipal shelter, and family size. The amounts are listed in the table below.
Situation | Age | Meals | Clothing and other personal expenses | Extra amount in case of guest household | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 or 2 family members
| 18+ or
| € 242,48 | € 62,66 | € 80,91 | |
| 1 or 2 family members | 18- | € 200,65 | € 62,66 | € 80,91 | |
| 3 family members | 18+ | € 193,98 | € 62,66 | € 80,91 | |
| 3 family members | 18- | € 160,64 | € 62,66 | € 80,91 | |
| 4 or more family members | 18+ | € 169,74 | € 62,66 | € 80,91 | |
| 4 or more family members | 18- | € 140,34 | € 62,66 | € 80,91 |
Do you need long-term care? And are you staying in a clinic or hospital, for example? Then you will receive living allowance for clothing and personal expenses (€ 62,66 per month). To qualify, you are registered at the address of the healthcare facility.
No living allowance with work or benefits
Are you 18 years or older and going to work? Then you are obliged to inform us of this using the Notify change form (Verandering doorgeven). You will then no longer be entitled to living allowance. The living allowance for your entire family will stop from the 1ᵉ day of the following month. Are you receiving a Dutch benefit? For example, an unemployment benefit or a benefit because you have been ill for a long time. Then you will also inform us about this and the same will apply. You will then also no longer be entitled to any living allowance.
Investigating your income
You are obliged to always report changes in your situation to us immediately. We also investigate ourselves whether you are still entitled to living expenses. We do this, for example, by reviewing the information in a nationwide system.
From January 2025: personal contribution for municipal shelter
Do you receive an income from work or from benefits? And do you live in a municipal shelter (GOO)? As of January 2025 you will have to pay a contribution for the shelter. If this applies to you, you will receive a letter from us about this. This contribution covers part of the cost of gas, water and electricity. If meals are provided at the shelter, you will also pay a contribution for that. Read more about this on Refugeehelp.
This national regulation went into effect on July 1 2024. From January 1 2025 this will also apply in Utrecht. You will receive a letter from us if this also applies to you.
FAQ
Are you receiving living allowance or have you applied for it? And has any of the following happened — for you or for someone in your family? Please report your change immediately.
- Getting a paid job or receiving benefits. For example, for unemployment or incapacity for work. The living allowance for the entire family will stop from the 1st day of the following month if an adult (18+) starts doing paid work or receives benefits. This does not apply to volunteer compensation. Read more about work and internship.
- Moving to a new address within or outside the Municipality. Or out of your shelter. Read more about moving.
- Being temporarily absent for more than 14 days. Read more about temporary absence.
- Getting a new bank account. Please provide us with a picture of your bank card.
A room or floor in a guest household are examples of private shelters. It counts as a private shelter if:
- It is offered by a private person.
- The owner or permanent resident gives you a completed Declaration of Lodging (PDF, 65 kB).
- You do not pay rent for it. However, you may contribute to the higher costs of your guest household.
Do you or your family member rent a property? Or have you or your family member bought one? The property does not count as a private shelter.
The living allowance amount depends on the size of your family. A family consists of:
- Spouses or partners assimilated to married couples.
- Their minor children (if they are unmarried and dependent on their parents).
- A parent or guardian responsible for minor and unmarried children.
Grandparents, uncles, aunts and/or adult children (18+) do not count as part of the family. They count as individuals or as a separate family.
The living allowance is to pay for food, clothing and other expenses — like sports or other activities. Or to contribute to the costs of your guest household. For example for gas, electricity and water. The amount consists of several parts. How much you receive, depends on your kind of shelter, your age and the size of your family.
The Nibud (Dutch Institute for Budgetary Information, Dutch only) calculates for residents what amounts are sufficient to meet their most important needs. For food, clothing and other personal expenses, the new living allowance will suffice.
Are you unable to make ends meet? Then email leefgeldoekraine@utrecht.nl or make an appointment.
You will receive living allowance from the date you make the application appointment online. This is usually earlier than the date of that appointment itself. You will receive your living allowance for the month in which you make your application as soon as possible. After that, you will receive your living allowance around the 1st day of the month.
Has your employer not renewed your contract? And have you worked for 6 or more months in the Netherlands? Then you might be eligible for unemployment benefits ("WW-uitkering"). You can find more information about this on the UWV website (Dutch only).
Have you worked for less than 6 months in the Netherlands? Then you can apply for living allowance again. Send an email to leefgeldoekraine@utrecht.nl or make an appointment.
Yes, you can do volunteer work. A volunteer allowance will not affect your living allowance.
We have outsourced the management of Municipal shelters to other organisations. They arrange their own staff. Would you like to do (volunteer) work in or around your shelter? Please inform your location manager.
If you have any more questions about living allowance, please send an email to leefgeldoekraine@utrecht.nl.
National regulations about shelter and financial aid
We follow the national rules about shelter and financial aid as set by our government. Below you will find more information about these regulations.