Overview of the status of those affected

Benefits Department

The algorithm helps to provide the right support quickly to parents who have been affected by the problems with the childcare allowance. It checks their status and flags up any issues where affected parents are getting stuck. This ensures they receive faster and more effective assistance.

Last change on 22nd of July 2026, at 8:57 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

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

General information

Theme

Social Security

Begin date

2021-12

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

https://herstel.toeslagen.nl/

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The algorithm developed by the Childcare Allowance Redress Implementation Organisation (UHT) to address the issues surrounding the childcare allowance has a clear and important objective: to provide effective support to the nearly 70,000 people who have registered for redress as potential victims. Given the complexity and scale of the situation, it was necessary to develop a structured approach to ensure that everyone receives the help they need, whether that be financial compensation, debt counselling or aftercare.

From the moment a parent registers, the system begins collecting and analysing essential data. The aim is to gain a clear picture of their situation. For example, the system checks whether a parent is under guardianship, which affects how their debts are handled. Another example is when a parent lives abroad. This is then taken into account, so that the parent in question also receives the appropriate support.

An important part of the algorithm is that it considers various factors to improve the process for those affected. Among other things, it looks at:

• who is identified as a victim based on the outcome of the initial assessment and the comprehensive assessment,

• whether there are duplicate applications,

• whether people are being kept waiting unnecessarily,

• whether or not they should be receiving certain letters, and

• which parents have opted out.

In this way, the algorithm gathers information and determines the best way to help those affected, ensuring they receive the right support. This can be done quickly or in greater detail, depending on what is required. Furthermore, the algorithm assists in creating and managing management information, such as dashboards and figures on the website. It also helps to link new schemes to parents who have been affected. In addition, the algorithm ensures that parents who have not been affected are treated fairly.

In short, the algorithm is a crucial tool in the efforts to support those affected by the childcare allowance issues. It ensures that support is not only provided more quickly and efficiently, but is also precisely tailored to the unique needs of each parent. This approach helps to restore trust and offers those affected a path to recovery and support during a challenging period.

Considerations

Using this algorithm offers the following benefits:

• Speed and efficiency:

This enables us to help victims as quickly as possible.

• Consistency:

This consistent approach ensures that the status of compensation and further assistance for the group of victims is monitored in a consistent manner.

• Accuracy:

The assessment of the support required by the group of affected parents is carried out with great precision. The algorithm matches the correct entitlements and follow-up arrangements to the correct parents.

• Traceability and reproducibility:

The steps taken are documented.

• Flexibility:

By using an algorithm, the approach is designed to allow for flexibility. This makes it easier to add new processes to the internal information, for example when new schemes are introduced.

When weighing up the use of the algorithm, the following potential drawbacks were taken into account:

• Dependence on good data: if the data is incorrect or incomplete, the algorithm does not always work properly. For this reason, the data is subject to additional checks and, in some cases, staff manually verify the results.

• Limited human judgement: the algorithm is less able to take exceptional or unique situations into account. In special cases, a member of staff reviews the results. There are additional manual checks and a clear escalation process.

Human intervention

• If a victim falls under a special category, we check the file manually

• We also carry out investigations involving manual checks to verify whether those affected are rightly receiving compensation and whether further assistance is forthcoming (for example, receiving certain letters)

• Staff use the results of the population assessment to send letters to affected individuals regarding compensation and measures to assist them

• Members of the public can always contact UHT directly if they have any questions or require clarification

Risk management

Legal basis

Act on the Recovery of Child Benefit Allowances

For further information, see: https://wetten.overheid.nl and https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0047436/2026-01-01/0

Links to legal bases

Government legislation: https://wetten.overheid.nl

Elaboration on impact assessments

Privacy and the GDPR

The use of data must be assessed against the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Assessing personal data helps to identify any potential privacy risks and enables appropriate measures to be taken.

The GDPR stipulates that no more data may be used than is necessary. This is known as data minimisation. The Tax and Customs Administration regularly reviews whether the data used is still necessary and may therefore be used.

The GDPR compliance document has been drawn up. GDPR-related risks have been identified and recommendations have been followed up with appropriate measures.

Equality and non-discrimination

The algorithm is assessed in line with applicable non-discrimination principles relating to direct and indirect discrimination. By processing as little personal data as possible, the risk of direct discrimination is reduced. Staff involved in the development and management of the algorithms receive training on data protection and bias.

Impact assessment

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Operations

Data

A dataset is being compiled containing all those affected who are entitled to compensation. The list of parents affected by the problems with the childcare allowance is being used for this purpose. Various details are being gathered to determine what steps need to be taken to assist those affected as effectively as possible. This information includes:

· The list of affected parents who have received at least 30,000 euros (Catshuis scheme)

· The partners of those affected

· Information on whether those affected have previously received a letter

· Whether those affected are under administration or not

· The dates of the decisions concerning the affected parties

· Whether those affected live abroad

· The date on which the 30,000 euros was paid to the victims

· Date of registration confirmation

· The status of the victims in the proceedings

· Whether the victims are still alive

Technical design

The algorithm that helps affected parents with issues relating to the childcare allowance provides support in various ways. For example, it ensures that every parent receives the help they need. It begins by collecting key data. This includes personal details such as the parents’ national insurance numbers and addresses, legal documents such as decisions and appeals, and financial information such as whether the affected parent has received €30,000 in compensation. The algorithm also collects family data, such as the number of children a parent has.

The algorithm checks whether the parent has been wronged, whether they are a duplicate applicant, and whether the parent is under guardianship. Furthermore, the algorithm determines whether the parent is to receive a specific letter under the Cathuis Scheme.

The algorithm monitors the stage of the process a parent is at and provides assistance where necessary. For example, it checks whether important details about parents, which were previously missing, have since become available. If missing information has since become available, the algorithm sends a notification. The parent can then be assisted further through the standard process. Without this check, parents could become unnecessarily stuck in the process. In this way, the algorithm ensures that the parent can be assisted further quickly.

In addition, the algorithm checks whether each parent has a personal case worker. If this is not the case, the algorithm issues a notification. Based on this notification, a member of staff can assign a new personal case worker to the parent. This ensures that no parent is left without support.

The algorithm assesses and helps determine which team is best placed to help a parent. This ensures that we provide the right support and guidance, depending on the parent’s specific situation. We carry out all these steps whilst respecting parents’ privacy, in accordance with the rules of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).