Making ends meet

More and more people in Maastricht are struggling to make ends meet. SAB wants tax relief and support schemes to be quick and simple to arrange. Struggling is nothing to be ashamed of; asking for help should be easy.

What is going on

Residents of Maastricht on a low income often do not have to pay municipal taxes. That is called kwijtschelding (remission) and it is a right, not a favour. It covers the waste levy, the sewerage levy and the dog tax, all collected by BsGW. The catch: you must apply within three months of the tax bill, and anyone who already has a reminder no longer qualifies.

Exactly the people the scheme is meant for sometimes leave the post unopened. Every year residents miss out on money they are entitled to. There are also allowances through Sociale Zaken Maastricht Heuvelland and debt support through the Social Team, but many people never find those either.

What SAB wants

• Tax relief offered automatically to anyone who qualified last year, instead of a new application every year.
• One overview of all schemes for low incomes, in plain language, in one place.
• Reminders not counting against someone who can show they are entitled to relief.
• Money worries out in the open: asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of, and the city should treat it that way.

What you can do now

Apply for tax relief through MijnBsGW at bsgw.nl with DigiD, or by phone with BsGW, within three months of the bill. For debt support and other schemes call the Social Team on 14 043. If it does not work out, SAB’s help desk completes the application with you free of charge. The guide on money worries and tax relief explains every step.