Single Parent Top-Up Loss in Delft

Single Parent Top-Up Loss in Delft

For single parents in Delft, the loss of the single parent top-up can be an unexpected financial blow. This occurs when the extra allowance increase – the 'top-up' – lapses due to a change in your living situation, such as moving in with a partner. It affects allowances like childcare allowance, healthcare allowance, and child-related budget, resulting in lower amounts and possible repayments. In this article for residents of Delft, we explain what it means, when it happens, and how to handle it, including local advice from the Legal Aid Office Delft.

What is the single parent top-up?

The single parent top-up provides an additional amount on top of the basic allowances for parents with young children. It compensates for the extra expenses that single parents in Delft often face without support from a partner. This amounts to around 5% extra on childcare allowance or a fixed amount for child-related budget. Managed by the Tax and Customs Administration, losing the top-up can quickly mean hundreds of euros less per month, depending on income and family size.

In Delft, with many young families around the TU and city center, this scheme is crucial for financial stability.

Legal basis

The single parent top-up is regulated in the Allowances Act (Tw). Relevant provisions:

• Article 1, section 1 Tw: Defines 'single parent' as a carer without an allowance partner.
• Article 26 Tw: Extra increase in childcare allowance for single parents.
• Article 51 Tw: Additional child-related budget for single parents.
• Article 32 Awb: Changes and recovery in case of single parent top-up loss.

You qualify as a single parent without an allowance partner on 1 January or upon change. An allowance partner includes tax partners, including those in a shared household.

When do you lose the single parent top-up in Delft?

Single parent top-up loss occurs when you no longer meet the criteria, typically due to:

• Cohabitation: A durable relationship with a partner, determined by shared address at Delft Municipality, joint accounts, or expenses.
• Partner's income change: Partner exceeds income threshold, resulting in tax partnership.
• Child leaves: Child no longer lives with you in Delft.
• Relationship reconciliation: Ex-partner returns.

Report changes immediately via My Allowances and update your address with Delft Municipality. Failure to do so may lead to repayment demands and fines.

Real-life cases from Delft

Example 1: Cohabitation in the city center

Marieke, a single mother in Delft with two children, receives €300 childcare allowance including €50 top-up. She moves in with Tom on 1 July and reports this to Delft Municipality. From then on, her allowance drops to €250. The Tax and Customs Administration adjusts it and demands €150 back for previous months.

Example 2: Informal relationship in Delfgauw

Ahmed from Delft lives alone with his daughter and receives healthcare allowance plus €25 top-up. His girlfriend often stays over and cooks together. After a tip-off, the Tax and Customs Administration checks: shared household. Result: single parent top-up loss and €600 repayment for half a year.

Example 3: Temporary cohabitation

Lisa's ex returns temporarily after a disagreement in her Delft home. She does not report it. Ultimately, partnership is recognized, child-related budget top-up (€117/month) lost. Objection at The Hague District Court succeeds with evidence (emails, neighbor statements).

Rights and obligations in case of single parent top-up loss

Rights:

• File an objection within 6 weeks (art. 6:3 Awb), with help from Legal Aid Office Delft.
• Request a trial calculation from the Tax and Customs Administration.
• Hearing in complex cases.
• Provisional allowance during appeal.

Obligations:

1. Report changes within 8 weeks.
1. Provide evidence (Delft Municipality extract, bank statements).
2. Repay or arrange deferral.

Possibly also of interest for Delft

• Allowances and cohabitation in Delft
• Objection to allowance decision | Legal Aid Office Delft
• Tax partnership around Delft

FAQ for parents in Delft