The Cross-Border Information Points (GIP) and Dienst Toeslagen have entered into a long-term partnership. The aim of this cooperation is to provide even better information to cross-border workers and their families about Dutch benefits, ensuring that they receive the allowances to which they are entitled.
People who live in one country and work in another are often faced with complex questions regarding social benefits, social security, and taxation. Those seeking advice can turn to the Cross-Border Information Points for free support and, from now on, even more targeted information about Dutch benefits. The two organisations have already been working more closely together for several months and have now formalised their partnership through a cooperation agreement.
The Chair of the GIP Steering Committee, Christoph Almering (Director of EUREGIO), signed the agreement on behalf of the participating GIPs in Bad Nieuweschans, Gronau, Kleve, Mönchengladbach, Aachen/Eurode, and Maastricht. He welcomed the collaboration, stating: “The cooperation and exchange of information are a valuable addition to our current services and make a highly important contribution to our ambition of creating an open labour market within the framework of European integration.”
Even before the official launch, GIP advisors had already received training from Dienst Toeslagen and now have dedicated contact persons within the organisation. “The cooperation lowers barriers when submitting applications, because we understand the interaction between German and Dutch benefits and can provide information in both languages,” explains Julia Dillmann of euregio rijn-maas-noord. Inge Gouw, Relationship Manager at Dienst Toeslagen, adds: “Thanks to our dedicated helpline for professionals, employees of the Cross-Border Information Points are better equipped to respond to individual situations. This helps ensure that citizens receive the benefits to which they are entitled.” However, Pascalle Pechholt of GrensInfoPunt Maastricht emphasizes: “Citizens themselves remain responsible for managing their own benefit affairs.”
The partnership benefits not only the citizens receiving advice: “The cooperation increases the visibility of the Cross-Border Information Points, strengthens the network, and enhances the quality of the advice we provide,” says Marco Flipse of Euregio Rhine-Waal. The cooperation does not involve any additional costs.
Background
The Cross-Border Information Points (GIPs) in the Dutch-German-Belgian border regions form a network of independent advisory centres that provide easily accessible information to individuals and businesses in border regions. The partnership with Dienst Toeslagen covers the Cross-Border Information Points in Bad Nieuweschans (Ems Dollart Region), Gronau (EUREGIO), Kleve (Euregio Rhine-Waal), Mönchengladbach (euregio rijn-maas-noord), Aachen/Eurode, and Maastricht.
The staff are familiar with the culture, language, and systems on all sides of the border. Their knowledge of taxation, social security, and employment law is kept up to date through joint training programmes. The Cross-Border Information Points are part of a broad international network. Their services are financed by regional authorities and by European and national funding programmes. As publicly funded advisory centres, the Cross-Border Information Points have no commercial interests and provide all their services free of charge.
Photo caption: Valuable insights into the Dutch benefits system: Luka van der Loo and Inge Gouw (both from Dienst Toeslagen) provided training to GIP advisors in Kleve.