Councilor Bart Heller (Work and Income): “Working gives rhythm, structure and self-confidence. It offers people the opportunity to develop and brings them into contact with each other. In short, working makes people happier. This can also be volunteer work or part-time work. With this action plan we want to place more emphasis on what people can do. More people at work is not only good for themselves, but also for Hilversum society as a whole.”
Municipalities receive money from the government to provide assistance to residents. This so-called BUIG budget has been lower for Hilversum for years than the costs incurred by the municipality. The council expects to reduce this annual deficit with the BEND action plan.
Work first when applying for benefits
When applying for social assistance benefits, work is the priority. The processing of the application starts with a conversation about reintegration: what someone can do, what options are available and how the municipality can support this. Previously, the benefit application was processed first and only after approval was a reintegration intake followed. Now, during the first conversation with an applicant, someone's work experience, including as a volunteer, and the broader home situation are immediately taken into account. Are there any problems that hinder finding work? Immediate action is then taken, for example through the use of job coaching, debt counseling or guidance at school for children. By prioritizing work, the council expects to limit the influx into social assistance.
New basic jobs
The municipality of Hilversum will set up eight so-called basic lanes. These are jobs for people who are far removed from the labor market. Half of this is aimed at gaining work experience and from there moving on to another job. Where these basic jobs will be located has yet to be determined. This could include assisting janitors at schools, extra maintenance of greenery and playgrounds or supporting work in residential care centers or a workplace within the energy transition. In all cases, these are additional jobs on top of the regular, existing jobs.
Establishing basic jobs is an important agreement in the coalition agreement. This also applies to another spearhead in the action plan, namely intensifying aftercare for people who find a job on social assistance. Due to all kinds of circumstances, people can relapse and lose their new job. This happens in about fifteen percent of cases, according to figures from the municipality. To reduce this decline in social assistance, residents who have found a job through social assistance will receive guidance from their permanent customer manager for another year.
Status holders integrate more quickly
Finally, the action plan aims to integrate status holders more quickly, so that they can start work sooner. If a status holder is still staying at the AZC but is linked to the municipality, Hilversum will already start with integration. After settling in Hilversum, status holders receive a local welcome program with which they become familiar with their new neighborhood and municipality. The immediate environment of status holders, the neighborhood where they will live, is also involved. The municipality will specifically look for suitable employers for highly educated status holders. A total of 2024 extra euros is available in the 200.000 municipal budget for this intensification of integration.