My child lives at home and earns money. Does that affect my rent benefit?

It might, depending on your child’s income and age. We are happy to explain how it works.

If your child lives at home, their income counts towards the rent benefit, even if it is your benefits partner's or co-resident's child. This means you must report both your own annual income and you child's income. The higher the total income of everyone living in the home, the lower your rent benefit will be.

Exemption for children up to 23 years

If you child is under 23, part of their income is exempt from counting towards the rent benefit. The exemption amount in 2025 is €6,042.

If your child is 23 or older, their entire income counts towards the rent benefit, and the exemption no longer applies.

However, the exemption still applies in the year your child turns 23.

Foster child, stepchild or adopted child

If you have a foster child under 23 and you substantially support this child or receive a foster care reimbursement, or did so in the past, the exemption applies in the same way as described above under 'Exemption for children up to 23 years'.

If you have a stepchild or adopted child under 23 years old (only available in Dutch), the exemption also applies. However, we do not automatically consider this for stepchildren or foster children. If you have a stepchild or foster child with their own income, please call the Tax Information Line. For adopted children, we automatically apply the exemption.

Which income of my child does it concern? Net or gross?

We take your child’s 'means-tested income' into account, not their net or gross income. Read more about this at 'Moet ik mijn netto- of bruto-inkomen opgeven?' (Do I need to report my net or gross income?)(only available in Dutch).

Student finance does not count

Student finance is not considered for rent benefit. You do not need to report it.

Exemption table per year

Exemption for children up to 23 years living at home