New allowance for children with intensive care needs
Parents and caregivers of children aged 3 to 17 with intensive care needs in the Caribbean Netherlands are eligible for a (third) one-time allowance of $3,879.31 gross. Parents and caregivers who received the allowance last year and still meet the conditions for child benefit do not have to reapply. They will receive a letter about this.
The temporary arrangement applies to children with intensive care needs as a result of an illness or condition that makes a child require intensive care. For example, in the areas of body hygiene, toilet training, eating and drinking, mobility, behaviour and medical care. Parents and caregivers of children who are or will turn 3 years of age or older (up to 17 years of age) from the 1st of October to the 13th of December 2024 and are entitled to child benefit in the Caribbean Netherlands, can apply.
The medical assessment whether a child needs intensive care and whether parents/caregivers of a child are therefore eligible for the allowance, is carried out on Bonaire through Sentro Akseso, on St. Eustatius through the GGD's Prevention Clinic and on Saba through Public Health. Care needs are assessed as intensive if children require intensive daily guidance in several areas, or require permanent supervision. Only in case of a positive medical assessment can the $3,879.31 allowance be paid by the RCN unit SZW. This is a gross amount.
Parents and caregivers who already received a positive assessment in the previous application period (2023) and still meet the conditions for child benefit, do not have to apply. They will receive a letter about this in the first half of October and will receive the allowance on their bank account at the end of October 2024.
How to apply?
New applications can be submitted from the 1st of October up until and including the 13th of December 2024. On Bonaire, this can be done on weekdays between 08.00 and 16.30 hrs. at Sentro Akseso or by email aanvraagkindzorg@aksesobon.com. On St. Eustatius, applications can be submitted by making an appointment with the Prevention Clinic by calling telephone number (+599) 318 2891. On Saba, applications can be submitted on Thursday from 14:00 to 16:00 hrs. at the Community Development Department.
Parents/caregivers can contact the above mentioned organisations for the forms and assistance in filling them out, for questions about the medical assessment and any guidance on caring for the child. All information, the application form and medical questionnaire can also be found online at www.rijksdienstcn.com.