Additional assessment from DUO of Euro 2,865.85.

Questioner

In 2015 I switched from full-time study to dual for the HBO nursing course. I then called DUO to ask about the rules regarding student finance and additional income, since I would receive a salary as a student nurse. I, and several classmates, were then told that we could receive student grants, but then 0 euros, so I could use the travel product. And then after obtaining my diploma I could still receive the amount retroactively that I would be entitled to after deducting additional income. I did this then, and therefore on the advice of DUO itself. After obtaining my diploma in 2018 I called DUO again, the employee then calculated that I still had approximately 5500 euros in credit from them and deposited this into my account, I then indicated that I thought this was a lot, but according to him it was correct. Two years later I received a letter from DUO that I had to pay back money, about 3000 euros. Since the previous amount was also quite a lot, I paid it back immediately. Another year later another letter arrived, this time with approximately 2500 euros of student grant still to be repaid. I then filed an objection, which was rejected. I then repaid this, thinking that I had paid off my entire debt, created by DUO itself. But today I get another letter with a debt of about 2800 euros. I never received this money and did not understand where this debt suddenly came from. After calling DUO it turns out that the three amounts are about the three years of training, so from 2015 to 2018, and that the travel product should not have been activated. DUO has misinformed me several times about their own rules, I have not cost the government anything, I have not even used public transport much, and yet I have to pay fines. I find this unfair, can you advise me what steps I should take to fight this and do I possibly need legal support here?

Lawyer

The decision will state that you can file an objection. The term for this is six weeks. This is a strict term. If an objection is filed too late, it will be declared inadmissible. I can assist you, also on a pro bono basis if you qualify. Please feel free to contact me without obligation to discuss your case (06-30575754, info@boudewijnadvocatuur.nl).