Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.
Determination of income bracket for the purposes of poverty relief schemes
- Publication category
- Impactful algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- In use
General information
Theme
Begin date
Contact information
Link to publication website
Responsible use
Goal and impact
Objective:
To quickly and accurately determine the income bracket (and the type of income and total earnings) of the applicant within a household (in conjunction with any partner living in the household) when an application is submitted for one or more poverty relief benefitsfor a specific year, in order to determine whether the income bracket meets the means test (percentage of the minimum wage for the relevant reference year) applicable to the relevant poverty relief scheme.
Functionality:
The algorithm calculates ‘behind the scenes’ – via a technical link between Suwinet and the Poverty Benefits Department’s ZorgNed automation system, and based on data from Suwinet using the BSN – the relevant annual income from employment andbenefit(s) of the individual selected, who has submitted an application (possibly with a partner as a co-signatory, in which case the partner’s income is also taken into account) for one or more Poverty Support Scheme(s) for a specific year.
This annual income must not exceed, in the relevant reference year, an income threshold set for poverty relief schemes based on the relevant minimum wage (WML). The result of the calculation is the relevant annual income, expressed as the income bracket into which that annual income falls in relation to the relevant WML, i.e. as a calculated percentage bracket relative to that WML.
In addition to the income class, the type of income is also shown.
The constituent income components and their relative amounts provide a description of the income situation, for example: Income type = ‘Income from work’, ‘Benefit’, ‘Composite income’, and so on. This description is determined in the same way (arithmetically, the largest income component) as in the manual query.
The income type provides the case worker with further insight into the income situation of the household in question.
This information is required to determine ‘certain’ and ‘uncertain’ minimum thresholds. This data may also be used to determine the scope of the target group. This information is required to determine ‘certain’ and ‘uncertain’ minimum thresholds. It can also be used to assess the scope of the target group.
Considerations
The automatic link between ZorgNed and Suwinet uses simple search criteria, calculation rules and annual thresholds. Income data from employment and benefits is retrieved via Suwinet for a specific period, the ‘reference period’. Total income is calculated and compared with a fixed amount, the ‘assessment income’.
In Amsterdam, the statutory minimum wage (WML) is set each year. This amount is often slightly higher than the national standard. It is communicated to the data team in good time, who then enter it into the calculation tool. The assessment income is a percentage of the WML: 130 per cent for adults and 150 per cent for children. If the income is lower than the assessment income, the benefit may be granted.
In 2025, the automatic linkage will only be used for people whose family circumstances have not changed during the reference period. In the event of changes to family circumstances, data will be retrieved and calculated manually. Both methods use the same rules. From 2026, the linkage will be expanded to also take account of changes in family circumstances.
The results of the income data will be included in the application file:
Total income as a percentage of the reference income, for example [116% – 120%].
The main component of the income, for example ‘Wages’.
The total income during the reference period, which is used in the decision.
Calculations are stored for 3 months and then automatically deleted. This is long enough to allow for an appeal procedure, which can be initiated within 6 weeks of the decision. The case worker decides, on the basis of the calculations and other data, whether a person is entitled to the benefit.
Suwinet is also used to retrieve other information, such as:
Whether someone owns a car (for a means test).
Whether someone receives child benefit.
Whether someone has received student finance (via DUO).
Whether someone runs their own business (via the Commercial Register).
Whether there has been a one-off high income that is not taken into account.
There are rules governing the use of Suwinet within poverty support services. Every enquiry is recorded, including the name of the case worker and the BSNs of the individuals concerned.
Human intervention
Staff assessed the quality of the algorithm by comparing it with the manual calculation. Where discrepancies were found, the error was found to lie with the manual calculation and not with the algorithm.
As the result is more accurate, the impact on the public (namely, a rejection of the application) will be less severe.
There is a ‘human-in-the-loop’ process.
The link with Suwinet is a secure environment, based on authorised access to the relevant data. The link has been tailored in accordance with applicable municipal guidelines and implemented in collaboration with the relevant municipal departments.
- The interface is actively managed by ZorgNed Functional Management in collaboration with WPI Datateam 10 and ZorgNed.
Risk management
The algorithm does not pose any risk. It only retrieves the data that is required. The data is then totalled and compared against the rules. This is done in the same way as when it is done manually.
The connection is well secured in accordance with the rules of the Municipality of Amsterdam. Various departments have been involved in this, such as Architecture, ISO and Privacy.
In October 2025, the algorithm will only be used for situations where household compositions have not changed. Later, it may also be used for households where the composition has changed. This will then be done on a period-by-period basis, specifying exactly how the household was composed during that period.
The data comes from Suwinet, a reliable source. Suwinet retrieves this data from other official sources. Only people who have authorisation via ZorgNed may use Suwinet. This authorisation is officially regulated. Changes to the authorisation follow a fixed process, and only management is authorised to amend it.
Every instance of Suwinet being used is recorded. This is done in ZorgNed. A record is kept of who requested the data, which BSNs were viewed, and the date and time this took place. This information can only be accessed by Functional Management. They can display this on a screen or generate a report. This is done to prevent Suwinet from being used incorrectly or unnecessarily.
Suwinet’s supplier, BKWI, also keeps track of who logs in and what data is viewed. They produce a general report every month. If necessary, they can also produce a specific report.
The municipality’s AIB (Internal Control Advisory) department checks whether Suwinet is being used correctly. They can request data from ZorgNed and reports from BKWI if necessary.
The algorithm’s calculations and results are also stored. This data is automatically deleted after three months. This is important because an applicant has six weeks to lodge an objection to a decision. If this happens, the data can be reviewed again. If necessary, Suwinet can be consulted again.
If an error is detected in the connection, it is corrected and retested.
Risk factors:
- Personal data
- Income profile (falling within the Amsterdam low-income category)
- Vulnerable group
Legal basis
Carrying out statutory duties, such as those under the Participation Act (Pwet), the Social Support Act (Wmo) and the Local Government Act (GW).
See the relevant DPIA on poverty relief provisions and/or data processing operations.
Links to legal bases
Elaboration on impact assessments
Using the algorithm simplifies and speeds up the workflow for the practitioner. Furthermore, processing applications in this way reduces the risk of errors. Moreover, using this algorithm poses fewer privacy concerns, as the practitioner does not see the underlying data, only the result of the calculation.
A privacy statement and a DPIA are in place.
Operations
Data
- Income (from work or benefits) is retrieved from Suwinet, based on:
- BSN
- Reference period
- Based on the BSN(s) provided and the start and end dates of the reference period, the algorithm calculates the income bracket and the most relevant income at the touch of a button; the practitioner can transfer the displayed data to ZorgNed.
Links to data sources
Technical design
Architecture
- Processing in the system:
During the application assessment process, the staff member enters the start and end dates of the reference period into ZorgNed, along with the living arrangement applicable during that period (by default, the reference period is set to the previous year: 1 January(T-1) to 31 December (T-1), where T-1 is the previous year).
If the application has a co-signatory, their BSN is also pre-filled; otherwise, this BSN (unless the living arrangement is ‘single person’ or ‘single parent’) must be looked up and entered manually. Clicking the ‘Retrieve income bracket’ button then initiates the DKD_link with Suwinet.
The result of the calculation of the income bracket and the most decisive type of income is determined by the algorithm and displayed on a screen to the case handler. The case worker can then choose to accept (or reject) the result, thereby recording it (or cancelling it) in the ZorgNed database.
This would look something like this, for example:
The data included in the (below) response message is not recorded in the ZorgNed database but is only included in the report within ZorgNed.
- How the algorithm works
- Using the applicant’s BSN (and, where applicable, the partner’s BSN, if they are part of the household), the data on income from employment and benefits for the specified reference period for this household is collected via a so-called ‘API’ (= automatic system link), data on income from employment and benefits for the specified reference period for this household is collected and added together, and the (annual) income is compared as a percentage with the relevant (annual) minimum wage (WML). The result is expressed as an income bracket.
So, for example, for the reference year 2024, this would fall within Income Class [116% – 120%] relative to the WML.
- The (arithmetically) most significant type of income in that reference year is also determined.
Similar algorithm descriptions
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- Publication category
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- Publication category
- Impactful algorithms
- Impact assessment
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- Status
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