The Participation Act regards Dutch citizens that need support on the labour market. The purpose of the act is to increase labour participation. In this act, the Social Assistance Benefit is included as well, which financially supports citizens who have little or no income. The application process for this specific benefit is arranged by the municipalities. An amended Participation Act in Balance was approved in the House of Representatives on 22 April 2025 and will be discussed in the Senate in September 2025. The changes relate to more customisation per municipality, more confidence in implementation within a municipality, and a simplification of the rules.
Employees made redundant can apply for financial support from the Employee Insurance Agency. If they have worked 26 out of 36 weeks before being unemployed, it is possible to receive unemployment insurance. The labour market agenda for culture (Arbeidsmarktagenda voor de culturele en creatieve sector 2017-2023) highlights this criterion as a problem, since work in the cultural sector can be irregular.
Self-employed professionals can create their own social security frameworks through, for example, Broodfondsen (Bread funds – in Dutch) and the Arbeidsongeschiktheidsregeling (Occupational Disability Regulation). Bread funds are collective initiatives of the self-employed to provide each other with temporary sick leave. The Occupational Disability Regulation can be arranged through insurance companies. A monthly payment ensures financial aid when self-employed are unable to work. In contrast to employees in the cultural sector, self-employed artists are required to arrange their own pension via, for example, insurance companies or banks.
When self-employed and pregnant, a Dutch citizen can apply for the Maternity Benefit Scheme for the Self-Employed, which consists of financial support for a minimum of 16 weeks. The financial aid is not higher than the gross minimum wage. New regulations have been implemented in 2019 for paternity leave, but these regulations do not apply to self-employed citizens.
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