News item | 16-09-2022 | 16:18
In order to help parents who have been duped by the problems with the childcare allowance as best as possible, we are constantly looking at what can be improved in the recovery operation of the Childcare Allowance Affair. State Secretary Aukje de Vries (Supplies and Customs) informed the House of Representatives today about the state of affairs in a number of parts of the childcare allowance recovery operation.
Mediation and settlement agreements
A pilot with mediation was launched last summer. It will be examined whether (some of the) cases in which parents object can be resolved through mediation. Parents then enter into discussions with the Implementation Organization for Recovery of Allowances (UHT), together with an independent mediator. They see if they can work it out together. Twenty parents are taking part in the pilot.
The practical test with settlement agreements also started this summer. This includes agreements with affected parents about closing the recovery process, as an alternative to the regular recovery route. It is the wish of many parents to conclude the recovery process in this way.
State Secretary Aukje de Vries: “Parents have asked if they can be helped in another way. That is why we have started a practical test to see whether we can conclude the recovery process for parents in a satisfactory way in this way. If the results are good, we can extend this practical test to larger groups of parents.”
Fifteen parents participate in the practical test.
Counter paid debts
There are victims of parents who have repaid arrears with the amount of compensation they have received. In order to accommodate these parents, Sociale Banken Nederland (SBN) will open the counter paid off debts on September 28. These parents can go there. SBN will assess whether victims can get back the amount that they have paid off with compensation.
Parents can then submit an application to SBN. The condition is that these debts would have been taken over in the debt approach if the parent had not paid them himself.
Actual Damage Commission
Affected parents can turn to the Actual Damages Committee (CWS) if they have already received compensation but have additional damage. An external party conducted an investigation last summer.
A number of bottlenecks and recommendations have emerged from this study. These recommendations will be followed up in collaboration with the committee. State Secretary Aukje de Vries: “The main thing is that parents receive the best possible help. They want clarity. That is why the CWS is also working on an assessment framework.”