Important to know
Personal budget (PGB)
The PGB (Personal Budget) is a scheme in the Netherlands that offers people the opportunity to purchase their own care or support, instead of receiving care through an institution.
We work together with PGB Wmo (Social Support Act, for care and support for adults). Below I explain what this means:
The Wmo is intended for adults who need help to continue living independently or to participate in society. Think of help with household chores, guidance, day care or transport. With a PGB Wmo you can arrange care or support yourself and pay the care providers of your choice. The PGB in the Wmo is provided by your municipality. In contrast to care via regular care institutions, where the care is organised by the municipality, with the PGB you are given control.
Conditions for PGB Wmo:
• You must receive an indication for care through the Wmo.
• The care must be tailored specifically to you, which means that you may only use the budget for the care that has been approved.
• You must organize the care yourself, for example hiring and paying care providers.
• The municipality can monitor how the budget is spent, and control measures can be taken. Examples of Wmo care:
• Guidance and support with daily activities (e.g. shopping, housework).
• Assistance in finding suitable housing.
• Transportation services.
• Day care or activities to promote social participation.
How does applying for a PGB work?
1. Request an indication: You must first request an indication from your municipality or the Care Indication Centre (CIZ). This can be done via a kitchen table conversation or an examination by a doctor/health worker.
2. PGB application: After approval of the indication, you can apply for the PGB from the municipality
3. Budget and care providers: After approval, you will receive the PGB and you can hire care providers or pay care organizations. The municipality often sets conditions, for example about how much care you may purchase and which care providers you can go to.
4. Use of the PGB: The PGB must be spent specifically on the approved care. You will often have to deal with control mechanisms (for example, accountability for your expenditure).
Health Insurance Act
The Health Insurance Act (Zvw) regulates basic health insurance in the Netherlands and ensures that everyone has access to necessary medical care. Home care falls under the Zvw if it concerns medical care, such as nursing care and paramedical care (such as physiotherapy), that is provided at home.
However, for intensive care (for example 24-hour care) or care for long-term disabilities, care often falls under the Wlz (Long-term Care Act). When it comes to support with daily living (such as help with housework or guidance), this falls under the Wmo (Social Support Act), which is regulated by the municipality.
Social Insurance Bank
The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) plays a role in the Personal Budget (PGB) in the Netherlands, especially when it comes to the implementation and payment of the PGB for care within the Long-term Care Act (Wlz) and the Health Insurance Act (Zvw). In short, the SVB does the following with regard to the PGB:
1. Payment of PGB: The SVB manages the payments of the PGB for people who want to purchase care, so that they can appoint their own care providers (for example via family or their own care provider).
2. Budget management: The SVB ensures that the PGB is provided and managed correctly, based on the approval of care provision plans and the rules established by the care offices.
3. Supervision and control: The SVB supervises the correct use of the PGB, for example by checking whether the budget is actually used for the agreed care. In short, the SVB is responsible for the administration and payment of the PGB and ensures that it is used responsibly for care.
Social Support Act (WMO)
The Social Support Act (Wmo) is a law in the Netherlands that ensures that people with disabilities, the elderly and people who temporarily need assistance receive the support they need to live and participate in society as independently as possible.
The Wmo regulates, among other things:
• Help with household chores (such as cleaning or cooking)
• Guidance (for example in organizing daily life)
• Day care (activities to participate in society)
• Transport facilities (such as a wheelchair taxi)
• Home adjustments (for example a stair lift) The municipality is responsible for implementing the Wmo and provides the necessary tailor-made care and support.