Calculate rent allowance

Service Surcharges

The 'Calculate rent allowance' algorithm uses rent allowance rules to calculate the right to and the amount of rent allowance. This is done with data from and about the applicant, his possible allowance partner and/or his co-occupants and the rental property.

Last change on 19th of July 2024, at 14:25 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

• Publication category: Impactful algorithms
• Impact assessment: DPIA
• Status: In use

General information

Theme

Social Security

Begin date

11-2011

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/nl/huurtoeslag/huurtoeslag

Responsible use

Goal and impact

It is the task of the Benefits Agency to ensure that citizens who apply receive the rent allowance when they are entitled to it. The goal of the algorithm is:

• Fast, efficient and consistent granting of the right to rent allowance for about 1.5 million households;
• That the applicant can immediately view the latest version of the rent allowance calculation.

The algorithm assesses the application for rent allowance. The algorithm determines whether there is entitlement and how high the allowance will be. Throughout the year, an advance payment is given. After the end of the year, based on income, assets and landlord data, the allowance is finally calculated. If the assessment cannot be done automatically through the algorithm, the algorithm can ask for help from an official.

Considerations

The advantage of using an algorithm:

• Efficiency and speed: the algorithm works automatically. This allows the Benefits Department to efficiently process millions of rent allowance applications quickly;
• Consistency: the algorithm provides an approach that is always the same which reduces the risk of errors and/or discrepancies;
• Traceability: by using the algorithm, the allowance calculation is automatically recorded, making it easier to track and control the decision process.

An official will manually review the application in case of missing data, technical errors or as part of an audit.

Human intervention

An official will manually review the application if there are missing data, technical errors or selected supervision by an official. If necessary, the applicant and/or co-occupant will be contacted to get the missing data. This new data is again given to the algorithm so that the algorithm can complete the assessment automatically. If necessary, an official can also calculate and check the rent allowance manually.

Risk management

• Risk management and safeguards

For algorithm development, the Surcharge Service has created conditions: a quality framework. This contains rules and agreements that are followed when developing the algorithm. The conditions come from the National Audit Office and are guiding. The algorithm has determined the business rules through laws and regulations. These business rules are constantly tested and maintained so that we remain compliant with laws and regulations and political wishes. If something changes in an algorithm, Dienst Toeslagen checks whether it still meets the quality requirements.

• Equality, non-discrimination and privacy

When using data, Dienst Toeslagen adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG). The AVG prescribes that no more data may be used than necessary. This is called data minimisation. The Benefits Agency regularly examines whether the data used are still necessary and may therefore be used. If this is not the case, the algorithm is adjusted and data are also no longer used.

• Profiling

The algorithm only uses data listed under the data heading. The use of data is monitored to prevent profiling that is not allowed.

• Right of access

Citizens have the right to see the information collected about them. They can also apply to have this information amended.

Legal basis

The legal basis for the use and collection of data is regulated by the General Income Support Act (Awir) and the Rent Supplement Act. For more information see https://wetten.overheid.nl

Impact assessment

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Operations

Data

The use of data is tested against the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The following data are required when applying for and calculating rent allowance:

• the applicant's personal data;
• the personal details of any partner and other occupant(s) registered at the address (these are part of the household for the purposes of rent allowance);
• the rent;
• the service costs;
• (special) housing type;

the (estimated) income and assets per household member.

Links to data sources

Zie 'Wie gebruikt mijn gegevens' in het Besluitenregister voor een detail overzicht van de gegevens die bij de huurtoeslag gebruikt worden: https://wiegebruiktmijngegevens.nl/besluit/34448016

Technical design

The Rent Benefit Act stipulates that citizens can apply for and change rent benefit if there is reason to do so. The algorithm calculates the right and amount of the rent allowance based on the data supplied and the Awir. Once all final income and asset data are collected, a final settlement is made and shared with citizens.

In addition, reasonableness checks are applied to protect both citizens and the executor from unintentional errors and their possible consequences.

In some situations, the application cannot be assessed automatically. Then an official does the processing of the application manually (see human intervention).