Receiving gifts while on benefits

What is a gift?

A gift is something that you receive. You do not have to give anything in exchange for this gift. A gift takes several forms:

• Money: Such as by bank transfer, a Tikkie or cash
• Objects (natura): Such as a refrigerator, a car or groceries

How much more can you get?

We have decided on a threshold amount. This is €1,200 per household in 2026.

This is the total amount of gifts that you are allowed to receive per calendar year (from 1 January to 31 December) per household without this having any impact on your benefits.

• Gifts up to the threshold amount are not counted towards your benefits.
• Do you receive more than the threshold amount in a year? Then the municipality will see if this extra amount will be seen as income or as capital. This could mean that you will receive less benefits.

Which gifts are never taken into account?

Some things will never be counted by us, even if these gifts or contributions exceed the threshold amount. These are, for example:

• Contributions from the Foodbank (Voedselbank)
• Gifts for costs for which you could have applied for special assistance (bijzondere bijstand) or Wmo
• Help with paying off debts to prevent losing your house or that the electricity and water will be shut down
• Groceries or other things that you can't sell for money
• Money given to you by cohabitants to cover rent or electricity

What is not a gift?

The following are a few examples:

• Income from work or benefits
• Alimony
• Loans
• Winning a price in a lottery, for which you received a lottery ticket
• A bonus of an employer (sometimes you may keep this on top of your benefits)
• Partner and or child alimony
• Inheritance
• Volunteer allowance
• Damage compensation

You must always take care to report these incomes.

Questions

Have you received a gift and are you unsure if this has consequences for your benefits? Please call 14 036. That way we can make sure that there are no misunderstandings about the gift and if you have to pay back money or not.

Keep receipts and documents

The municipality is allowed to check your gifts. We recommend you to keep proof of your gifts (such as bank statements or receipts) for a minimum of 24 months for your own administration. That way you will know when you reach your threshold amount.

Did you receive more than the threshold amount? Then you have to notify the municipality within 10 days.