# Instanties: which organisation does what

URL: https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/knm/instanties
Course: KNM: Dutch society, theme by theme (https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/knm)
Level: A2 and B1
Publisher: Inburgeringklaar

> Match everyday problems to the right Dutch organisation, the core skill of many KNM questions.

## Goals
- Know the tasks of the gemeente, DUO, UWV, SVB, Belastingdienst and IND
- Know when to contact the politie, Juridisch Loket, CJG or Veilig Thuis
- Recognise which organisation a letter is probably from

## Why this theme matters

Many KNM questions end with *Waar kan hij terecht?* or *Welke organisatie...?* If you know which organisation does what, you can answer questions from almost every theme. Most organisations work online with **DigiD**, your personal login for government services.

## The big list

| Organisation | Main tasks |
|---|---|
| **Gemeente** (municipality) | Registration in the BRP and your BSN, address changes, passport and ID card, driving licence, *bijstand*, help with debts, Wmo support (help at home), youth care, permits, waste collection, inburgering guidance under the 2021 law |
| **DUO** (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) | Inburgering exams and study loans for inburgering, student finance (*studiefinanciering*), diplomas, school funding |
| **UWV** | *WW* (unemployment benefit), benefits when you cannot work due to illness or disability, help finding work |
| **SVB** (Sociale Verzekeringsbank) | *Kinderbijslag* (child benefit, every three months), *AOW* (state pension from retirement age), *Anw* (survivor's benefit) |
| **Belastingdienst** | Taxes, and the *toeslagen*: huurtoeslag, zorgtoeslag, kinderopvangtoeslag, kindgebonden budget |
| **IND** (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) | Residence permits (*verblijfsvergunning*), extensions, family reunification, decisions on naturalisation |
| **Politie** | Safety, emergencies (112), reporting a crime (*aangifte doen*), non-emergency number 0900-8844 |
| **Het Juridisch Loket** | Free legal information and advice, for example about work, rent, debts or divorce; they can refer you to a lawyer |
| **CJG** (Centrum voor Jeugd en Gezin) | Questions about raising children and growing up; free advice for parents and young people. The name and set-up differ per gemeente |
| **Veilig Thuis** | Advice and reports about **domestic violence** and **child abuse**; you can call for free, also anonymously |
| **GGD** | Public health: vaccinations, infectious diseases, youth healthcare |
| **KVK** | Business register for new companies |

## Tricky pairs

Some organisations are easy to confuse. Learn the difference:

- **UWV vs gemeente**: lost your job → UWV (*WW*). No income and no other benefit → gemeente (*bijstand*).
- **SVB vs Belastingdienst**: *kinderbijslag* (for every child, not based on income) → SVB. *Kindgebonden budget* and *kinderopvangtoeslag* (based on income) → Belastingdienst.
- **DUO vs IND**: exams and study → DUO. Residence permit → IND.
- **Gemeente vs IND for naturalisation**: you usually **submit** your naturalisation request at the gemeente, but the IND **decides**.
- **Politie vs Veilig Thuis**: acute danger → 112. Worries about violence at home or a child who is not safe, no acute danger → Veilig Thuis.
- **Juridisch Loket vs advocaat**: first free advice → Juridisch Loket. A lawyer (*advocaat*) for a court case, sometimes with a government contribution if your income is low.

## Letters

Official letters often have a logo. The exam may show a letter and ask where it is from: a blue envelope is the classic sign of the **Belastingdienst**. A letter about your exam results or study loan is from **DUO**. A letter about your residence permit is from the **IND**.

Never ignore an official letter. If you do not understand it, ask for help: the organisation itself, the gemeente, a social worker or volunteers (for example at the library). Be careful with emails and text messages asking for your DigiD or bank details; real organisations do not ask for your password.

## Exam logic

First identify the **topic** (money from work, child, tax, permit, safety, legal advice), then pick the organisation from the table. Ignore options that sound official but do something else.

## Useful Dutch
- **de gemeente**: the municipality
- **de uitkering aanvragen**: to apply for a benefit
- **de kinderbijslag**: child benefit (SVB)
- **de AOW**: state pension (SVB)
- **de toeslag**: the (income-based) allowance
- **de verblijfsvergunning**: the residence permit
- **aangifte doen**: to report a crime to the police
- **het juridisch advies**: legal advice
- **de opvoeding**: raising children
- **huiselijk geweld**: domestic violence
- **anoniem**: anonymous
- **de DigiD**: personal government login

## Worked example: A stolen bike

*De fiets van Dirk is gestolen bij het station. Hij wil dat de politie het weet. Er is geen gevaar.*

**Wat doet Dirk?**

A. Hij belt 112.
B. Hij gaat naar de gemeente.
C. Hij doet aangifte bij de politie, online of op het bureau.

**Topic?** A crime (theft), but no danger at this moment. **Organisation?** The police take reports of crimes: *aangifte doen*. For a stolen bike this can often be done online with DigiD, or at a police station after making an appointment. So **C** is correct. A is wrong: 112 is for emergencies when every second counts. B is wrong: the gemeente does not take crime reports.

## Common mistakes
- Applying for kinderbijslag at the Belastingdienst instead of the SVB.
- Going to DUO for a residence permit; that is the IND.
- Calling 112 for a crime that happened earlier and is not dangerous now.
- Ignoring an official letter because it is hard to read, instead of asking for help.

## Check yourself
1. Bram heeft ruzie met zijn baas over zijn salaris. Hij heeft weinig geld en wil gratis advies over zijn rechten. Waar kan Bram terecht?
   A) Bij de SVB
   B) Bij het Juridisch Loket
   C) Bij de GGD
   Answer: B. Het Juridisch Loket gives free legal information and advice, for example about problems at work.
2. Leyla hoort elke week geschreeuw en klappen bij de buren. Ze maakt zich zorgen over de kinderen. Er is nu geen direct gevaar. Waar kan zij advies krijgen, ook anoniem?
   A) Bij het UWV
   B) Bij DUO
   C) Bij Veilig Thuis
   Answer: C. Veilig Thuis gives advice and takes reports about domestic violence and child abuse, also anonymously. In acute danger you call 112.
3. Igor heeft een verblijfsvergunning. Die is bijna verlopen. Waar vraagt hij een verlenging aan?
   A) Bij de IND
   B) Bij de Belastingdienst
   C) Bij het UWV
   Answer: A. The IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) handles residence permits and extensions.