A chronic illness or handicap may lead to other costs which are not reimbursed under the terms of the WVG, the AAW or the health care insurance, for example higher heating costs, etcetera. Regardless of age, for these costs, an appeal might be made for supplementary benefit under the terms of the General Social Security Act (ABW). This may be applied for in the council of residence.

This should apply to costs that are not part of the normal pattern of spending. Furthermore, these special costs should be socially or medically necessary. The application for supplementary benefit should always be submitted before the costs have actually been made.

Threshold figure

If in a period of 12 months, calculated from the moment the first costs are made under the terms of the ABW, these costs amount to less than f 186. (in 1995), they will not be reimbursed. It is important to keep the receipts.

Should more costs be made during the course of the calendar year which means that the threshold figure has been exceeded, then the additional costs may be reimbursed.

The costs above the threshold figure may be reimbursed even when the patient's ability to pay is not sufficient to pay the costs him/herself.

Ability to pay

When granting financial help under the terms of the ABW the capital of the person involved is taken into account, such as savings, etcetera. In the evaluation of the application part of the capital is not included. For the capital in a personal home different rules apply. The surplus of capital should be fully spent on paying the provision.

When there is an income on supplementary benefit level and the capital allowed, the ability to pay amounts up to f 186. a year (the threshold figure of 1995). All supplementary costs made above this amount are reimbursed.

When the income is higher than the supplementary benefit level or the person involved has more capital than the amount mentioned, then the ability to pay is higher. More costs have to be made then in order to be eligible for supplementary benefit. Depending on the council, for supplementary benefit the ability to pay usually amounts to 35% to 50% of the income above supplementary benefit level. The council will calculate the ability to pay and whether the person involved is eligible for supplementary benefit.

Procedure of objection