Legal Advice on DUO Supplementary Grant

Questioner

I started studying again this year. I studied last year as well. This means that I fall under the old system and am still entitled to a basic grant from DUO. Last year I also received a supplementary grant. I thought this was because I thought they were aware of the fact that I had not had any contact with my father for years and that his income was therefore not taken into account. This year I will not receive a supplementary grant. I was told this in May. I then filed an objection with DUO. I had to wait eleven weeks for a response. Then they told me that I would not receive a supplementary grant because they look at my income from two years ago. My father was still living in Spain three years ago and DUO could therefore not see any income from him and therefore did not take him into account. Because of this I did receive a supplementary grant last year. He went to live in the Netherlands two years ago and that is why his income is taken into account. They also told me that if I want my father to be disregarded I can request this, but I had to meet one of the six reasons. I did. So I had to print out a form and fill it in and add all kinds of evidence. This took me quite some time. Now I sent the request five weeks ago and am waiting for an answer. In the meantime, I am almost not making ends meet with my money. My question now is: Will I get the supplementary grant retroactively, for the months that I have now missed? I have been working on it since May.

Lawyer

In principle, you will receive the supplementary grant retroactively provided that you meet the requirements. In anticipation of the response, you can, if possible, submit a request for an advance on the supplementary grant in case of financial problems. Upon final approval, the various matters will be settled. Should there be any problems with the application, you can contact me directly and free of charge for assistance or consultation.