Help with costs for school, sports, music or school trip
The new product is one month old. For parents with school-age children, this also means that there are all kinds of costs. For example for school, sports and music or dance and drawing lessons. If there is little money at home, Amsterdam can help pay these costs.
You can come for this if you have a low income and little capital. For example, because you work, but earn little, or have less income due to the corona crisis. Or because you have a benefit. Sometimes there are even more conditions. All regulations and conditions can be found on amsterdam.nl/pakjekans.
Free laptop or travel allowance
There are various arrangements, such as a free laptop for children aged 10 to 18. A student allowance for paying for things, such as a bicycle, backpack or a calculator. A travel allowance if your child has to travel to secondary school. Or money for paying the sports club for music, dance or drawing lessons. And a Stadspas to do fun things.
Ask for help at school
Do you need help with your child’s school costs? Then go to the teacher of your child’s master. The teacher can refer you. At many primary schools there is someone who can help, such as Annet van de Voort. She is a budget consultant at the Buurtteam in Noord and is present every week at 3 primary schools in Noord. Van de Voort: “I help parents with their questions and with applying for financial arrangements for them, such as the students. I am in the schoolyard when the parents take the children to school. Teach children parents who can use help to me. I make an appointment immediately and help the parents the same day.”
New lunch box
Van de Voort: “Parents sometimes find it difficult to ask for help. You are not alone in this situation. There are 10,000 children in Amsterdam who benefit from the schemes. It is important that children can participate. the parent away. You give the children, but also the parents, with a piece of self-esteem.”
do something fun with the kids
Dianise also makes use of the schemes. She is currently on benefits due to health problems. She has 2 children aged 4 and 10 years old. At first she didn’t dare to ask for help, but she’s glad she did. Especially for her children. “During the summer holidays it is nice that you can do something fun with the children with the Stadspas instead of sitting at home. My daughter can go to the drama club. And we are currently requesting a laptop for her, so that she can make it home at home .”
Knowing more
Photo: Marten Idema / National Image Bank