Former Spouse Allowance Scheme

Benefits Department

The algorithm assists in compiling a dataset of former benefit partners of victims who, under the Benefits Redress Act (Wht), may be entitled to the ex-benefit partner scheme as ex-benefit partners. They will receive a lump-sum payment of €10,000. In addition, they can receive comprehensive support from their local authority, as well as assistance with debt and further losses.

Last change on 13th of August 2026, at 14:53 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

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

General information

Theme

Social Security

Begin date

2023-09

Contact information

[e-mail]

Responsible use

Goal and impact

The purpose of the algorithm is to generate a dataset to identify which former benefit partners may be entitled to the former benefit partner scheme. In addition, the algorithm assists case workers in assessing eligibility for this scheme. Former benefit partners who are eligible for the scheme will receive a lump-sum payment of €10,000. They may also receive comprehensive support from the local authority where they live, including help with debt and support for additional losses.

By using the algorithm, former benefit partners of affected parents are identified efficiently, accurately and consistently. In this way, former benefit partners who are entitled to the former benefit partner scheme can be helped as quickly as possible. Former benefit partners must apply for this scheme themselves.

The algorithm is also used in the implementation of the ex-benefit partner scheme. In this way, the algorithm helps ensure that an ex-benefit partner of affected parents receives the allowance, the correct letters and further assistance.

Considerations

Using this algorithm offers the following benefits:

- Speed and efficiency: the algorithm ensures that we can identify, pay and provide assistance to former benefit partners as quickly as possible

- Consistency: this ensures that we always identify this group of former benefit partners in the same, consistent manner and that they receive consistent support

- Accuracy: the group of former benefit partners is identified on the basis of the most recent data

- Traceability and reproducibility: the algorithm records all steps, so it is clear why a former benefit partner is entitled to the scheme.

- Flexibility: existing processes and communication can be easily adapted to new rules or developments

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

- Dependence on reliable data: the algorithm only works properly if the data is accurate and complete. For this reason, the data is subject to additional checks and the results are verified manually in special situations (see ‘human intervention’ below).

- Limited human nuance: the algorithm is less able to take exceptional or unique situations into account. In special cases, a member of staff reviews the decision. There are additional manual checks and a clear procedure in place should a decision need to be taken at a higher organisational level.

- Not everyone can be identified: the algorithm cannot determine in all cases which citizens are entitled to this scheme. This creates a risk that part of the target group will not be reached. Citizens who are not identified by the algorithm can therefore apply for the scheme themselves.

Human intervention

- In the event of a special circumstance, the file of the former benefit partner is checked manually. For example, where certain information is missing or where the person is under financial administration.

- With each new batch of data, case handlers manually check all exceptional cases. Non-exceptional cases are checked automatically on a monthly basis, according to a schedule. A 10 per cent sample is selected for review by the internal audit department. The sample is selected at random.

- If the check reveals any discrepancies, these are rectified. The client decides what happens to the file thereafter

- Members of the public must also register themselves if they believe the scheme applies to them.

Risk management

- Risk management and safeguards

The Benefits Service has drawn up conditions for the development of algorithms, in the form of a quality framework. This sets out rules and agreements that must be followed when developing the algorithm. The conditions originate from the Central Government Audit Service and are binding. The algorithm has business rules based on legislation and regulations. These business rules are tested and maintained to ensure continued compliance with legislation, regulations and policy objectives. Whenever changes are made to an algorithm, the Benefits Service assesses whether the quality requirements are still being met.

- Equality, non-discrimination and privacy

The use of data is assessed against the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR stipulates that we may not use more data than is necessary to achieve a specific purpose. This is known as data minimisation. The Benefits Service examines which data is necessary and may be used.

- Profiling

The use of data is assessed by the Benefits Service to prevent unlawful profiling. The algorithm is not used for profiling.

- Citizens’ rights

Citizens have the right to view the information collected about them by the Benefits Service. They may also submit a request to have this information amended.

Legal basis

The legal basis for the use and collection of data is set out in:

- Benefits Recovery Act, Section 2.3 (Articles 2.14g – 2.14i) and Article 6.12(3), (4) and (6)(c), and Articles 12 to 17 of the Wht

- General Data Protection Regulation Implementation Act

- Act on General Provisions for the Citizen Service Number

- the Archives Act 1995

Impact assessment

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Operations

Data

The algorithm identifies former allowance partners who are entitled to the former allowance partner scheme. To this end, it uses the list of recognised affected applicants for childcare allowance from the childcare allowance scandal. Benefit partners from before 2012 are identified on the basis of letters relating to childcare allowance which contain the partners’ names. Benefit partners from 2012 onwards are registered. This information is passed on. In addition, the data required to determine entitlement to the scheme is supplemented. This includes details such as:

- Personal details

- Periods of partnership

- Letters to victims (years)

- Recognised children

- Payment date of the childcare allowance

Technical design

The algorithm used in the ex-benefit partner scheme helps to compile a list of applicants’ former benefit partners who were affected by the benefits scandal. It determines the next steps. The algorithm creates, in stages, a dataset of this group who may be entitled to the ex-benefit partner scheme. In addition, this data is supplemented with the information required to implement the scheme. The algorithm consists of the following steps:

Step 1: Parents who have been recognised as victims of the benefits scandal form the basis of the data and constitute the initial dataset.

Step 2: All provisional and final decisions on childcare allowance are added to this group. Information is also added regarding the period during which applicants for childcare allowance were affected.

Step 3: In this step, all former benefit partners of the affected childcare allowance applicant are identified.

Step 4: The letters specify the children for whom childcare allowance was claimed. A check is carried out to ascertain whether the former allowance partner has recognised these children.

Step 5: Using all the information from the previous steps, the system automatically determines whether a former allowance partner may be entitled to the former allowance partner scheme. Among other things, the following is checked:

- Whether the allowance partners had been living together for at least one year on the date of the letter in which we wronged the allowance applicant.

- AND/OR whether, in the allowance year covered by the letter sent to the affected parent, childcare allowance was applied for in respect of one of the recognised children of the former allowance partner.

- AND whether the applicant for that childcare allowance has been recognised as an affected parent in the allowance scandal.

- AND that, at a reference date relevant to the scheme, the former benefit partner and the affected parent were no longer benefit partners. In most cases, this is the date on which the first compensation payment was awarded to the affected parent. In exceptional circumstances, a different reference date may be used, for example if the affected parent has died or cannot be traced. The outcome is used in the further processing of the application.

In step 6, all unique former benefit partners are automatically selected from step 5, and this information is supplemented with data relevant to the implementation of the scheme. A check is then carried out to determine whether the notification letter can be sent or whether there is a special circumstance. In the event of a special circumstance, the case is processed manually.

In the subsequent steps, internal audit staff carry out manual spot checks to assist former benefit partners who are entitled to the scheme as effectively and quickly as possible. This also involves assessing what additional information they may require. For example, they check whether former benefit partners are entitled to a reminder letter, a deferral letter or a guarantee letter.

Special circumstances are also taken into account. For example, whether the former benefit partner lives abroad.

In all the above steps, citizens’ privacy is safeguarded in accordance with the rules of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).