Thousands of volunteers are ready to assist victims of the childcare benefits scandal in recording their stories and calculating compensation, but most cannot begin due to low registration. Only about three thousand affected parents have registered with the Gelijkwaardig Herstel (Equal Recovery) foundation, established by Princess Laurentien, while a thousand are on a waiting list due to additional conditions imposed by the Ministry of Finance.
The spokesperson for Gelijkwaardig Herstel, Frederike van Urk, attributes the hesitation to the government’s changing rules throughout the process. Victims express frustration and a sense of powerlessness as new conditions and disputes between the ministry and the foundation cause uncertainty.
In the summer of 2024, the government stipulated that only victims wrongly reclaimed for more than 30,000 euros could register with the foundation, affecting only 15,000 of over 42,000 victims. While victims with less damage, who had already registered, were initially permitted to continue, they will now not receive compensation. The ministry claims agreements were made regarding lower compensation amounts for this group, a claim the foundation denies.
Another route for additional damages is being developed by the Ministry of Finance, but its conditions are yet unknown, causing parents to delay their choices. Victim Patricia Bleeker, who had 25,000 euros wrongly reclaimed, registered before the 30,000 euro limit but was recently informed she will not receive compensation, expressing a feeling of powerlessness due to the changing rules.
Since Gelijkwaardig Herstel began its work in September 2023, it has faced constant friction with the Ministry of Finance. Former State Secretary Aukje de Vries halted the foundation’s work for several months in the spring of 2024, citing excessively high payouts and insufficient evidence of damage. Princess Laurentien stepped down as chairwoman in August 2024 following complaints about her behavior.
Despite these challenges, many parents preferred the Gelijkwaardig Herstel method over the government’s Werkelijke Schade (Actual Damage) Committee. The Van Dam Committee advised making the Laurentien method the primary route for handling additional damage in January, boosting the foundation’s recruitment efforts. About nine hundred victims have signed agreements on their additional damage.
The ministry subsequently decided to develop another damage route, allowing parents to digitally indicate their damage items for calculation. The ministry promises more clarity before the summer, claiming this method will use the same compensation amounts as Gelijkwaardig Herstel.
Dissatisfaction has resurfaced regarding Princess Laurentien’s influence. A legal analysis commissioned by the government suggests she retains too much power, while a study initiated by Gelijkwaardig Herstel asserts the organizational structure complies with all rules. Mediation attempts failed, causing further resentment.
Despair is growing within the foundation due to perceived opposition from the ministry, leading to impatience among volunteers and disappointment among childcare benefits parents. Like Patricia Bleeker, who feels there is a breach of contract, she has voiced her displeasure in a letter to State Secretary Sandra Palmen, emphasizing the severe victimization of parents with claims just below 30,000 euros.