Army of people with debt problems grows: ‘Bill paid, the next one came’

Benjamin (name known to the editors) was in his thirties when he fell into debt. Yes, he was lax when he forgot to inform the UWV for a year that he had now found a job and no longer needed unemployment benefits. “I was busy and lost the overview.” When the debts on his credit card also increased and he did not have enough income to pay it all off, the total debt rose to 30,000 euros. “It felt like treading water while being held by your legs. If I had just paid a bill, the next one came in.” His then brand new girlfriend saw that he couldn’t figure it out. She referred him to the municipality. “Until that time I kept my head up, but I couldn’t solve it myself anymore.”