Help for the Ukrainian refugees

You are most welcome at the consultation hour for Ukrainians at the Council for Refugees in Wageningen. For example with legal questions about residence rights, asylum and the IND procedure. They can also provide you with information about reception in the Netherlands, care and education. They can also provide practical help with applying for a bank account or benefits.

This consultation hour takes place every Monday from 14.00 to 16.00 hrs, Wednesday from 17.30 to 19.00 hrs and on Friday from 10.00 to 12.00 at Markt 17, Wageningen. An interpreter is also present.

You can also send an e-mail to wageningen@vluchtelingenwerk.nl.

Refugees from Ukraine can receive temporary protection in the Netherlands under the Temporary Protection directive. The Temporary Protection Directive gives the right to reception, medical care and education for minor children in the Netherlands. And it gives the possibility to work. You can prove your right of residence with a residence sticker. Don’t have one yet? Make an appointment(Externe link) with the IND.

Yes, refugees with Ukrainian nationality can be officially registered Personal Records Database (BRP) when they are (temporarily) staying in Wageningen. To register in person at the town hall: make an appointment at the Civil Affairs desk. Or call (0317) 49 29 11. A passport or other proof of identity is required. If a refugee doesn’t have a passport or other proof identity, the municipality will make an appointment to take a statement under oath or making a promise. So that the person can still register. Registration is required to be eligible for benefits in the Netherlands.

People who had a temporary residence permit in Ukraine

People who had on Februari 23 a temporary residence permit in Ukraine, for example because they were studying or working there, will no longer be able to register in the Personal Records Database as of 19 July and will therefore no longer be covered by the European Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). The above change is not retroactive. This means that all people who were entitled to residence in Ukraine and registered in the BRP before 19 July continue to be entitled to the Temporary Protection Directive.

Refugees receive a living allowance from the municipality where they live. You can use this money to buy food, clothing and other personal things. You can find the living allowance amounts on the website Refugee Help.(Externe link)

Starting from 1 September 2022, the municipality shall deposit your living allowance on a Dutch bank account number.

Help with opening a Dutch bank account

If you find it difficult to communicate with the bank or to open a Dutch bank account on your own, you are welkom at the consultation hour of Refugee Council Wageningen. This consultation hour takes place every Tuesday from 10.oo to 12.00 hrs at Markt 17. An interpreter is also present. Or send an e-mail to wageningen@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. We know that not everyone has been able to open a Dutch bank account, yet. If you still haven’t opened a Dutch bank account, please contact the municipality by yourself of let Refugee Council Wageningen contact us. We will then help find a solution for you.

When does the right to a living allowance stop?

• Entitlement to a living allowance ceases when you no longer reside in Wageningen. If you relocate within the Netherlands, you will receive a living allowance in your new place of residence.
• Entitlement to a living allowance will also cease if you start working. Family members who are not working will remain entitled to living allowance. When you stop working, entitlement to the allowance will start again. Changes in the work situation should always be e-mailed to oekrainewerkt@wageningen.nl.

In both cases we would like to receive the money card back. You can return the money card to the city hall, Refugee Council Wageningen or to one of the officials at the reception locations. You can also put it in the letterbox at the city hall.

Acute financial need

In case of acute financial need, you can contact the Dutch Council for Refugees.

Refugees from Ukraine are reimbursed for medically necessary care from the basic health insurance package. The way in which the costs are reimbursed differs:

• Does the refugee have a BSN number? If so, the organization providing the care will reclaim the costs of the care from 1 July 2022 onwards via RMO – Displaced Persons Medical Services SchemeUkraine. In addition to care covered by the basic health insurance package, this regulation also provides for (limited) reimbursement of certain types of care outside the basic health insurance package, such as oral care in the case of acute pain, contraception and abortion care.
• Does the refugee not have a BSN number? If so, the organization providing the care will reclaim the costs of the care via the Medically Necessary Care Subsidy Scheme for Uninsured Persons (SOV) of the CAK. Care provided before 1 July 2022 also falls under this scheme. It does not matter whether the refugee has a BSN or not.

Sometimes refugees from Ukraine have to incur expenses that are really necessary. For this purpose the municipality has a regulation on ‘extraordinary expenses’. To find out whether the necessary costs are eligible for reimbursement, contact the municipality. See information under ‘applications’.

Conditions for the extraordinary expenses scheme

To be eligible for this arrangement a number of conditions apply:

• The refugee from Ukraine is registered at the municipality of Wageningen;
•  The Ukrainian refugee is temporarily living with a host family or at a reception location;
• The refugee from Ukraine cannot pay the costs himself/herself and the costs are not reimbursed in any other way;
• The costs are truly necessary. This means that the costs must be incurred in order to live. It cannot be solved in another way. We check this with a (medical) specialist where the refugee is being treated;
• The costs have not yet been incurred. This means that an application must be made before the costs are incurred.

Each application is assessed to determine whether you are entitled to compensation.

Application for extraordinary expenses scheme

Contact the municipality by sending an e-mail to oekraïnewerkt@wageningen.nl. You will then receive the application form which can be completed and returned. Do you have any questions about the scheme or your application? Call (0317) 49 29 11 and ask for C. van Erkel or C. Teer.

For an overview of current financial arrangements for (medical) care see above.

Consultation hour of Refugee Council Wageningen

For all your questions about help and ance you are welcome to attend the special consultation time of Refugee Council Wageningen. This consultation hour is on Monday from 14.00 to 16.00 hrs and on Wednesday from 17.30 to 19.00 hrs, Markt 17. An interpreter is also present. Or send an e-mail to wageningen@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. If (more) care and support is required, Refugee Council Wageningen will contact Startpunt.

Arranging (medical) care and support

For special questions about care and support, please contact Startpunt. Refugees staying with a host family can seek medical care from the family doctor. Refugees without travel medical insurance fall under the uninsured scheme. This means that acutely necessary care is fully paid for by the Centraal Administratie Kantoor (CAK). Read more information on Zorgverzekeringslijn website. (Externe link) Do you have any questions about this? Please contact Startpunt.

Do you need someone to talk to or are you suffering from a psychological disorder?

Do you need someone to talk to or are you struggling with something? Do you suffer from stress, have trouble sleeping or are you worrying a lot?

• For all of these psychological issues, you can anonymously contact MIND Correlation. MIND Correlation is available on Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 9 PM. You can contact them on number 0900 1405. This phone call is in English.
• For young people who need someone to talk to, there is also the “Is everything okay?” support line. This line is available from 6 PM to 12 midnight. The number of the support line is 0800 0450. The “Is everything okay” support line is available every day between 2 and 10 PM. This phone call is in English.
• If you want to see a psychologist quickly, please contact the World Psychologists Foundation. They offer free psychological help. You can register on your own. There is no waiting list. If you suffer from serious psychological complaints, also be sure to contact your general practitioner. For more information in Dutch/Ukrainian/Russian, go to wereldpsychologen.nl/(Externe link)

Help with finding work

Do you need help finding work? Make an appointment with the municipality. Send an email to oekrainewerkt@wageningen.nl.

Employment contract check

Have you found work and are you about to sign an employment contract? It is important that you know exactly what you are signing. Are you aware of your rights and duties? And are you sure that the work agreements comply with the laws and regulations of the Netherlands? It is always wise to know exactly what a contract says before signing. Have your employment contract checked. The municipality can help you with this. Send and e-mail to oekrainewerkt@wageningen.nl

Please always pass on changes in your work situation to us!

Starting employment

Once you start working, you will no longer be entitled to receive the living allowance. That is why you are required to keep us informed about this. Please send an e-mail to oekrainewerkt@wageningen.nl. Your family members who do not work shall still be entitled to receive the living allowance. You must also have a residence sticker from the IND. Without a residence sticker, you will not be allowed to work as of November 1. Don’t have a residence sticker yet? Make an appointment(Externe link) with the IND.

End of employment

Have you stopped working? If so, the municipality can often immediately
begin paying the living allowance again. Send an e-mail to oekrainewerkt@wageningen.nl.

Health insurance and health care supplement

Starting from 1 August 2022, refugees from Ukraine who are working in the Netherlands will no longer be required to pay for health insurance. This is because you will fall under the Medical Care for Displaced Persons from Ukraine Scheme.

Compensations you might be entitled to if you have children and
work

Do you work and have children? You may be entitled to receive child
support and a child-based budget. These are intended to compensate the
costs of your child/children. Is your child going to a day care centre while you work? You are often entitled to receive compensation for child care costs. For more info about these compensations, please go to refugeehelp.nl(Externe link) . More information and assistance. For more information and assistance with applying for these schemes, please come visit us during the open office hours of the Wageningen Refugee Council. Open office hours are every Tuesday from 10 AM to 12 noon at Markt 17. A translator is also present. If you are unable to come during the open office hours, Send an e-mail to wageningen@vluchtelingenwerk.nl.

• Elementary school children in Wageningen can attend the transition classes at OBS De Wereld(Externe link) or OBS De Tarthorst(Externe link) . Families can contact the school themselves.
• For young people from 12 to 18, there is an educational programme at Pantarijn’s VMBO location, Hollandseweg 9, Wageningen. Read more information and download the application form(Externe link) on the Pantarijn website. (Externe link)
• WUR has some programs open to students from Ukraine. Read more information here. (Externe link)
• Children under the age of 4 can go to a child care center or guest parent. For questions and registration for childcare or Spelenderwijs groups: Kinderopvang Wageningen(Externe link) . The Spelenderwijs groups are for children aged 2 and 3 of working and non-working parents and are a preparing for elementary school. Note: during school vacations there is no childcare at Spelenderwijs. There are costs associated with childcare. Refugees from the Ukraine can apply for childcare benefit directly through the website of the Tax Office in some cases. Childcare allowance is a (partial) reimbursement of the childcare costs. Sometimes you are entitled to this.

There are several activities for refugees. For example refugees can meet at different places, but there are also language lessons and activities for children. For the calendar of activities for refugees from Ukraine: www.welsaam.nl.(Externe link)

The municipality of Wageningen regularly sends a digital newsletter to refugees from the Ukraine and the organisations involved. It contains information that may be important to you. Do you not receive the newsletter yet but would you like to receive it? Please send an e-mail to nieuwsbriefoekraine@wageningen.nl