What does co-parenting mean for my Dutch benefits?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Co-parenting affects each Dutch benefit differently. Check rent benefit, childcare benefit and child-related budget separately, for your own circumstances.
On this page
1. Check the care arrangement
Dienst Toeslagen considers the agreed daily care and upbringing over the calendar year: the child stays at least 156 days with each parent. Record the actual arrangement, including holidays. First report the usual separation changes. Ask for clarification if the arrangement changes or is unclear; this page does not automatically establish entitlement.
2. Arrange your own childcare benefit
Claim childcare benefit for care you contract and pay for yourself. Each parent needs a separate contract, or a joint contract in both names signed by both. Together you can receive benefit for at most 230 hours per child per month, not 230 each. Update existing hours in Mijn toeslagen; if only your ex is the applicant, apply for your own share. The child being registered with one parent does not prevent this.
3. Include your child for rent benefit
For rent benefit, both co-parents may have their child counted as a co-resident, even when registered with the other parent. A higher amount is not guaranteed: check your conditions and use the official trial calculation. Report co-parenting for this purpose in a letter signed by both parents.
4. Check who receives child-related budget
If the conditions are met, child-related budget goes to the parent registered with SVB as the child benefit applicant. Splitting child benefit does not give both parents child-related budget for the same child. Agree who is the applicant and report changes to SVB. With several children, different parents can be applicants for different children. SVB informs Dienst Toeslagen.
5. Send a joint letter if required
For childcare benefit, report co-parenting by letter unless the child is registered with you and you alone receive childcare benefit. This exception does not automatically apply to rent benefit. Include your name, address, town, BSN and the division of days or weeks across the calendar year. Both parents sign. Send to Dienst Toeslagen, Postbus 4510, 6401 JA Heerlen. Use our original draft below or the official sample letter.
6. Check processing and keep proof
Keep a copy and proof of posting. The general co-parenting page normally indicates five weeks for a reply after receipt; the official sample-letter page indicates eight weeks. These are not guaranteed decision dates. Check the current information for your chosen route and your acknowledgement, and ask about processing if uncertain. An application or change in Mijn toeslagen may only become possible once the letter is processed. Then check the decision, hours and amounts. Seek timely help with disagreement, missing data or a delay. A phone call does not replace a timely objection to a decision. This website sends nothing.
Dienst Toeslagen — co-ouderschap ↗
Dienst Toeslagen — officiële voorbeeldbrieven co-ouderschap ↗
Draft letter reporting co-parenting
Use this original draft only if notification is required for your benefit. Complete the brackets and remove inapplicable sections. Enter BSN only in the letter you send, not in the chat. Both parents must sign. The draft changes no benefit and is not sent automatically.
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Your edits stay on this page and are not automatically saved or sent. Complete every placeholder.
Do I always need to send a letter?
Report co-parenting for rent benefit in a letter signed by both parents. For childcare benefit, reporting co-parenting is unnecessary if the child is registered with you and only you receive that benefit. Child-related budget follows the child benefit applicant registered with SVB.
Documents to prepare
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Benefit year, start date and care arrangement including holidays
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- Benefit year, start date and care arrangement including holidays
- Each parent's childcare contract, paid hours and payment evidence
- Combined limit of 230 hours per child per month
- Child's registration and SVB child benefit applicant
- If a letter is needed: complete details and both signatures
- Copy, posting evidence and later decision; BSN only in your own correspondence
Contact with a lawyer
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Dienst Toeslagen — co-ouderschap ↗SVB · Kindgebonden budget en co-ouderschap ↗Dienst Toeslagen — officiële voorbeeldbrieven co-ouderschap ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.