To see whether you can get child benefit at twice the basic rate, we must first determine whether your child is living at home or somewhere else.

Under the Dutch child benefit scheme, a child is considered to be living away from home if they do not sleep at home for at least 4 nights a week.

That depends on your child's situation.

This depends on what kind of education your child gets. You must also contribute at least €1,294 per quarter to your child's support.

You can get this if your child lives in an institution because of illness or a disability, and the costs of the institution are covered by:

• the Long-term Care Act (Wlz)
• the Youth Act (‘Jeugdwet’)
• your health insurance

If your child stays in hospital for longer than expected, you can get child benefit at twice the basic rate as from the time your child has been in hospital for more than 6 months. If it is clear from the beginning that your child's stay will last more than 6 months, you can get child benefit at twice the basic rate for the whole period.

Your child must be aged 3 or older, and under 18. 

Your child must also have a positive opinion from the Care Needs Assessment Centre (CIZ). The CIZ assesses how much extra care your child needs. If they issue a positive opinion, you can get child benefit at twice the basic rate.

If you apply to the SVB for child benefit at twice the basic rate, the CIZ will send you a form. Their opinion will be based on the information you give.

If there is no mention of your child's situation, you cannot get child benefit at twice the basic rate. But you can still get child benefit at the basic rate.

You can get child benefit for a child living away from home if you contribute at least €488 per quarter to your child's support.

If you receive child benefit at twice the basic rate for a whole year because your child has extensive care needs, you may also qualify for extra financial support.

This is a fixed amount that is paid 1 time per year, depending on your income and whether you have a fiscal partner.

If your child starts living away from home, you must let us know within 4 weeks. You can report this via My SVB.

If you live outside the Netherlands, you must let us know about the change within 6 weeks.

If you cannot report the change online via My SVB, please contact us.

To apply for child benefit at twice the basic rate, please contact us.

First, you should check whether you meet all the conditions

Check first whether it is worth your while to submit an application. You can do so by answering a few questions.