Can I start a business from social assistance using Bbz?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Discuss plans with the municipality first. A preparation period is not available everywhere, and KVK registration does not automatically award Bbz income support or credit. Obtain written conditions and financing decisions.
On this page
1. Discuss plans before starting
Tell your municipal contact what you intend and what activities have already occurred. Ask about the route and reporting duties before accepting work or investments. This guide covers starting from social assistance, not separate UWV rules for starting from WW.
2. Ask about preparation
A municipality may offer preparation for up to one year, but may offer less or no scheme. Once admitted you retain assistance and have no job-search duty under that arrangement, while cooperating with support. Ask for written duration, training, conditions and possible preparation credit.
3. Support your business plan
The municipality first assesses the business plan and viability. Show assumptions: customers, sales, costs, cash flow and household income. Attach orders, quotations and required permissions. A strong plan is not automatic entitlement; other conditions remain. Ask which evidence is missing.
4. Separate living support and credit
Living support begins as an interest-free loan: six months, possibly six more and further extensions within36 months total. Start-up capital is separate interest-bearing credit; the official2026 ceiling is€48,060, not a guaranteed award. Ask about interest, repayment, conditions and later income reconciliation before assuming a grant.
5. Submit a traceable file
Get the municipal application form and submit the plan, budget, bank/income records and requested evidence officially. Keep application and receipt. List outstanding documents and deadlines. This preparation sends nothing; a discussion or online check is not necessarily a registered application.
6. Check the decision and duties
Check support type, amount, start, duration and reporting/recordkeeping duties in the decision. Clarify provisional/final assessment and repayment. An adverse decision normally has a six-week objection period; follow its appeal instructions without waiting for informal discussions. Track income and business changes and report as required.
Draft request: Can I start a business from social assistance using Bbz?
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.
Can I stop job searching as soon as I make a plan?
No. The exemption belongs to admission to a municipal preparation scheme. Obtain confirmation; a plan or KVK registration alone does not change benefit duties.
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?
Assistance decision and contact
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.
- Assistance decision and contact
- Activities and proposed start
- Preparation arrangements
- Business plan and evidence
- Household and credit budgets
- Submission proof and deadline
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 — starten vanuit bijstand ↗Rijksoverheid — bedrijfskapitaal en bezwaar ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.