Living Together Informal Care Consequences

If your mother moves in with you to receive care, there are various financial consequences to consider. It can affect allowances, benefits, and other costs. It is important to understand what these changes may be so that you are not caught by surprise.

What happens to my benefits if my mother moves in with me?

If your mother moves in with you, this can affect your benefits and allowances. Here are some key points to consider:

• Old Age Pension (AOW) and Housing Allowance: The AOW may change from single to the lower married AOW. Your housing allowance may also decrease because the income of housemates is taken into account.
• Cost-sharing norm: This means that your social assistance benefit may be lower if more adults live in the house. However, there is good news for informal caregivers: if you temporarily live with someone for care, that person's social assistance benefit is fully counted. You are not considered a cost-sharer.
• Help and reimbursements: Domestic help may be withdrawn if there is a healthy adult in the house, as municipalities consider this to be usual help. Reimbursements or meals you receive as an informal caregiver do not count towards social assistance.

It is important to discuss your specific situation with your municipality. They can help you avoid surprises. Have you already contacted your municipality about these changes?

How does living together affect my allowances?

Living together can offer many benefits, especially if you are caring for a loved one. But it also has consequences for your allowances and benefits. Here are some key points to consider:

• Old Age Pension (AOW) and Housing Allowance: If you live together, your AOW may change from single to the lower married AOW. Your housing allowance may also decrease because the income of housemates is taken into account.

• Cost-sharing norm: This norm can result in your social assistance benefit being lower if more adults live in the house. However, if you temporarily live with someone for care, that person does not count as a cost-sharer. This means their social assistance benefit remains intact.

• Domestic help: If there is a healthy adult in the house, municipalities may decide not to provide domestic help anymore, as they consider this to be usual help.

• New social assistance rules: Since 2026, there are new rules that take informal caregivers into account. If you temporarily live with the care recipient, you are not automatically penalized in your social assistance benefit. Certain reimbursements for informal care also do not count as income.

It is important to carefully calculate your situation and contact your municipality if you have questions. What are your thoughts on these changes?

What are the consequences for municipal taxes?

Living together with a loved one for care can have various consequences for municipal taxes. When you start living together, there may be changes in how your taxes and allowances are calculated.

Consequences of living together for municipal taxes:

• Housing Allowance: If you live together, the income of your housemates counts towards the housing allowance. This may mean you receive less housing allowance, as the combined income may be higher than if you lived alone.

• Old Age Pension (AOW): The AOW may change from single to the lower married AOW. This can affect your financial situation.

• Domestic help: Many municipalities see a healthy adult in the house as a reason to stop providing domestic help. This may mean you have to do more yourself or receive less support.

• Fiscal partners: You do not automatically become fiscal partners, but in some situations, this may be the case. This can affect your tax return and any benefits.

It is important to carefully calculate these aspects before deciding to live together. Do you have specific questions about your situation?

Should I consider changes in rent?

If you are going to live together for care, there are several things to consider, especially regarding changes in rent and allowances.

Rent changes When your loved one moves in with you or you move in with them, this can affect the housing allowance. The income of housemates counts, which can lead to a lower housing allowance. If you rent a property, you also need permission from the landlord for co-tenancy.

Allowances and benefits The cost-sharing norm can result in a social assistance benefit being lower if more adults live in the house. But there is good news for informal caregivers: if you temporarily live with someone you care for, that person does not count as a cost-sharer. This means their social assistance benefit is not reduced. Also, if you care for someone who moves in with you, you do not lose your benefit due to this norm.

It is important to carefully calculate your situation and possibly discuss it with your municipality. This helps to avoid surprises. Do you have specific questions about your situation?

How can I get independent advice about my situation?

If you want to get independent advice about the consequences of living together for allowances and benefits, there are several options. It is important to understand how the cost-sharing norm works, especially if you live with someone you care for or if someone moves in with you.

• Cost-sharing norm: This norm can affect the amount of social assistance benefits if more adults live in one house. But there is good news for informal caregivers: if you temporarily live with someone you care for, that person's social assistance benefit remains intact. You are not counted as a cost-sharer. This also applies if you care for someone who moves in with you.

• Independent advice: If you have doubts about your situation, it is wise to discuss this with your municipality. They can help you avoid surprises. Additionally, you can also contact care support desk or WMO desk for more information. An independent client support desk can think along with you for free about your specific situation.

What would you like to know about your situation?