Can I receive Bbz if my business is no longer viable?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Ask the municipality before closing. Bbz during winding down, the restricted older-business scheme and IOAZ are different routes. Low sales alone do not suffice: have business stage, age, hours and household income assessed.
On this page
1. Which route fits?
Distinguish temporary trouble in a recoverable business, necessary closure and the special older-self-employed scheme. Record whether still active, when closure is possible and why continuation fails. Do not deregister first assuming support follows automatically.
Rijksoverheid — Bbz bij stoppen ↗
2. Support while winding down?
Closure Bbz requires a non-viable business that cannot close immediately. You must be self-employed with at least1,225 annual business hours. Apply before stopping. The top-up to assistance level lasts up to twelve months, possibly another twelve if winding down takes longer. If immediate closure is possible, discuss ordinary social assistance.
3. What is the older-business route?
The separate older route concerns birth before1January1960, still below pension age, insufficient income and a non-viable business. It requires the hours criterion and at least ten consecutive self-employed years before applying. It is not IOAZ's55-plus route. Check birth and AOW dates precisely rather than relying on an old 'older entrepreneur' label.
4. Which income and assets matter?
The older top-up considers your and any partner's total income, including benefits. Assets affect business-capital form. Its official2026 ceiling is€13,052: a grant below€175,864 own assets and interest-bearing loan above, subject to the published conditions. Ask about boundary cases and current calculation. This capital differs from a monthly top-up or start-up credit.
5. How do I support the application?
Request the municipal form and supply accounts, tax records, hours, partner income, assets and closure plan or business history for the relevant route. Explain whether immediate closure is possible. Keep application/receipt and ask about missing documents. The letter prepares contact; it is not automatic application or entitlement.
6. How do I track decision and transition?
Check route, duration, income adjustment, loan/grant and reporting duties in the decision. Objection normally within six weeks: follow the decision without waiting for discussions. If55-plus but below AOW, also assess IOAZ before closure; conditions differ. If already closed, contact the municipality immediately about deadlines/exceptions. Report actual closure and ask what income support follows.
Draft request: Can I receive Bbz if my business is no longer viable?
Complete the facts and check the applicable rules. This draft sends nothing and is not legal approval.
Edit your draftWord
Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Is IOAZ the same as older-self-employed Bbz?
No. IOAZ includes a55-plus threshold, work-history/income tests and relates to after closure. Special older Bbz uses birth before1960 and may support continuation until pension. Compare them early; IOAW and IOW are different again.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Business stage and reason
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Business stage and reason
- Hours and closure plan
- Birth, AOW and business history
- Partner income and assets
- Application and receipt
- Decision, objection and follow-on income
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Rijksoverheid — Bbz bij stoppen ↗Rijksoverheid — oudere zelfstandige ↗Rijksoverheid — kapitaal en bezwaar ↗Rijksoverheid — bestaand bedrijf en pensioengrens ↗Rijksoverheid — IOAZ onderscheid ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.