Self-employment assistance (Bbz).

What is it?

If your own business has temporary financial problems, you can apply for self-employment assistance. This is called a Bbz benefit.

Two different benefits are available:

• An interest-bearing loan (working capital); and
• A welfare level benefit for up to 12 months. This can be extended once.

Assistance may be needed to support your family. It may also be needed to keep your business running. Even if you start your own business from a benefit situation, you can get support from the municipality.

If you receive a BBZ benefit, you are no longer entitled to regular assistance.

What to do.

You must meet the following Requirements :

• You have been established as a self-employed person in the Netherlands for a reasonable period of time (different Requirements apply to start-ups).
• You are staying in the Netherlands.
• You are between 18 and retirement age.
• You are not permanently disabled.
• Your income is below welfare level.
• You have no equity (business and home do not count).
• You will not get help from a bank or other lenders, in the form of a loan.
• You spend a minimum of 1225 hours per year on your business.
• You meet the establishment requirements, for example, you are registered with the Chamber of Commerce.

Entrepreneurs over the age of 55 who want or need to terminate their business may be entitled to benefits under the Inkomensvoorziening oudere en gedeeltelijk arbeidsongeschikte voormalige zelfstandigen (Ioaz-uitkering).

How long does it take?

The municipality will make a decision within 13 weeks of receiving your application. This period may be extended once.

You can object to the decision on your application. Do this within 6 weeks. Do you then disagree with the decision on the objection? Then file an appeal with the court.