A Written Decision
You receive a decision from the administration regarding, for example, a benefit or a rejection of shelter, which you disagree with. The letter should explain what actions you can take if you disagree. Please note: you can handle the procedure yourself. You do not need a lawyer, but you may choose to have one. Do you want to know the best course of action for your situation? Contact us. Haven’t received a decision? After two months, you can urge the administration to make a decision. Download the “notice of default” form.

Objection
If you disagree with a decision made by an administrative body or an executive agency (for example, the municipality, UWV, CIZ, or debt assistance), you can file an objection. This must be done within six weeks, not a day later. Therefore, send the objection letter by registered mail or ask for a receipt when handing it over. In an objection procedure, you ask the administrative body to review your case. In an objection procedure, you can not only point out incorrect application of regulations but also incorrect facts and events. Download a sample letter.

Before writing an objection, it might be useful—especially if it’s a complex case—to first review your entire file with the municipality or the (benefit) agency. You have the right to do so. Inspection of the file is legally required, and you can make copies on-site at cost price. For medical advice, the specific underlying documents, such as those from a specialist, must also be accessible. An exception to this is confidentiality for compelling reasons.

Appeal
If the objection procedure does not lead to a positive decision, you can take your case to the administrative court within six weeks. How to do this is outlined at the end of the decision on the objection. Read more about starting an appeal procedure.

People with an income of less than 90% of the social assistance norm and without assets are exempt from court fees. Request this. Include a benefit statement or payslip. Read relevant rulings here and here.

Urgent?
Can’t wait that long? There is also an administrative emergency procedure.

Complaint
You cannot file an objection for poor treatment or poor service, but you can file a complaint.
A complaint is usually directed against behavior. Examples include:

Not responding to a letter or application on time
Inappropriate behavior
Providing incorrect, incomprehensible, or missing information
Unjustified use of force by the government
Administrative carelessness
Failure to keep promises
What Should a Written Complaint Include?
It’s best to first discuss your complaint with the person you want to complain about. If that doesn’t help, almost every institution has a complaint procedure. A written complaint must at least include:

The date on which you file the complaint
Your name and address
A description of the event, when it happened, and the cause
The persons or companies involved
The solution you desire
Your signature
You can file complaints about the following six Amsterdam institutions with the Platform for Shelters in Amsterdam (POA):

Blijf Groep
Stichting HVO-Querido
Leger des Heils, Goodwill Centra Amsterdam
Stichting Oudezijds 100
Stichting De Regenboog Groep
Stichting Volksbond Amsterdam
The complaint can be submitted online, by post, or dropped off at the address of the POA Complaints Committee: Eerste Ringdijkstraat 5, 1097 BC Amsterdam. Email: info@klachtencommissiepoa.nl.

Regarding the Implementation of the Social Support Act (Wmo):
You can file a complaint with the municipality online, by email at klachtensociaal@amsterdam.nl, or by sending a letter to:

Complaint Team Social Domain
Antwoordnummer 9087
1000 VV Amsterdam
No stamp is needed.

Regarding the Work, Participation, and Income Service of the Municipality of Amsterdam:
You can file a complaint online or by letter with:

WPI, Legal Affairs Department
Postbus 90395
1006 BJ Amsterdam

Read the official complaints procedure of the Municipality of Amsterdam here.

Regarding the Police:
You can file a complaint online via the website or by letter to:

Complaint Coordinator Police Corps, Amsterdam Unit
Postbus 2287
1000 CG Amsterdam

Regarding the Neighborhood Team:
If you have a complaint about the neighborhood team, see here how to file a complaint with the relevant neighborhood team.

Regarding the Bureau Straatjurist:
You can file a complaint with:

Bureau Straatjurist
Attn: Complaints Officer A. Clausen
Arie Biemondstraat 103
1054 PD Amsterdam
Email: aclausen@straatjurist.nl

Your Complaint Was Not Handled Properly?

Municipality
Then you can take your complaint further to the municipal or national ombudsman. The Ombudsman Metropool Amsterdam has a telephone consultation hour every weekday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 020-625 9999. During this consultation hour, you can call with questions about your (not yet filed) complaints. There is a walk-in consultation every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

File a complaint online or email info@ombudsmanmetropool.nl
Visit Address:
Jacob Bontiusplaats 9
1018 LL Amsterdam

Postal Address:
Postbus 2119
1000 CC Amsterdam

National Government
You can file a complaint with the National Ombudsman about the national government, for example, the police, SVB, UWV, and ministries.
See here how to file a complaint.