01Treat AOW as a separate SVB pension application
AOW is the Dutch state pension administered by the SVB; it is not a municipal care benefit. A person living in the Netherlands normally receives an SVB letter about four months before reaching their AOW age and can apply during those four months, not earlier. If the letter is missing when the period begins, contact SVB rather than waiting until the pension date.
Living or working outside the Netherlands can affect both the application route and the pension record. Someone living abroad is normally advised to start about six months before AOW age through the responsible pension institution or SVB route for that country. Report periods abroad and check other-country pensions separately; LiveInNL does not estimate AOW entitlement or payment amounts.
02Ask the municipality to assess support under the Wmo
Wmo support is aimed at participation and living independently and is requested from the municipality’s Wmo desk or social neighbourhood team. After a notification, the municipality investigates the personal situation, needs, preferences, existing care and what the person and network can do. Rijksoverheid states that this investigation must take place within six weeks of the notification.
Describe the practical limitation and the result needed rather than requesting a product only by name. Ask for free independent client support and bring relevant information about daily activities, the home, informal carers and existing help. The municipality decides on a general or individual provision and explains objection rights in its decision.
03Use CIZ for permanently intensive care under the Wlz
The Wlz is not the next step simply because a person needs more help. CIZ assesses whether the statutory conditions for permanently intensive care are met, including a lasting need for supervision or 24-hour care nearby and an inability to summon help safely. A diagnosis alone does not establish a Wlz indication.
Use the CIZ check and application route and provide current medical or treatment information that explains the functional care need. After a positive indication, the care office helps arrange Wlz care. Until then, keep medical treatment, district nursing through health insurance and municipal support in their own routes instead of stopping existing help.
04Choose PGB only inside the approved care route
A persoonsgebonden budget is not a free-standing cash benefit. It is a way to purchase approved care under the Wmo, Jeugdwet, health insurance or Wlz. The responsible municipality, insurer or care office decides whether a PGB is available and whether the applicant or representative can manage it; moving from one law to another does not automatically preserve the old PGB.
Be ready to explain why a PGB fits, prepare a budget plan, select suitable providers and make care agreements. Administration, quality checks and employment or tax responsibilities may apply. An own contribution cannot simply be paid from a Wlz PGB. Compare care in kind and PGB before choosing, and use independent client support if the management burden is unclear.
05Keep medical treatment and administrative decisions separate
A GP or specialist describes health and treatment needs but does not award Wmo support, an AOW pension or a Wlz indication. The municipality, SVB, CIZ, insurer and care office each decide within their own remit. Ask the clinician for relevant factual information without expecting a medical letter to replace an application.
Keep copies of the notification, application, supporting records, assessment report and decision. If the situation becomes unsafe or urgent, seek the appropriate medical or emergency help immediately; do not wait for a benefits or care-law decision. Follow the objection instructions and deadline in the specific decision if you disagree.
