A majority in the Parliament agreed to reform the kontanthjælp system. The system has been simplified, as there will be three different social benefits rates(minimum at 6,553 DKK; basic at 6,955 DKK and high at 12,064 DKK). For example, the people that will have a work obligation will qualify only for the minimum rate. Also, the 225-hour rule (the minimum number of hours of work before you can receive social benefits) and danskbonus will be abolished.
To get the high rate, you need to either be over 30 years old or over 25 years old with at least 2 years and a half of employment. As an international, to get the high rate you also need to have lived nine years out of the last ten in Denmark and had employment for at least two years and a half. In addition to the three rates, there are some extras: if you have children, you get 2,687 DKK per child; young people under 24 years old without children will get 1000 DKK; young people under 24 years old with children will get 2,500 DKK; single parents on the minimum or the basic rate will get 1,581 DKK. The minimum rate replaces the SHO-benefits (selvforsørgelses- og hjemrejseydelse og overgangsydelse). The housing support (boligstøtte) will be a maximum of 350 DKK per month. A free time bonus for children from families receiving social benefits will be introduced (fritidstillæg), amounting 450 DKK per month. The cost of prescribed medicine for people under 18 years old from social benefits families will be fully covered by the state. If you are on the minimum or basic rates, you will be able to earn up to 5000 DKK without receiving fewer social benefits. If you are on the high rate, you will be able to earn up to 2500 DKK without receiving fewer social benefits. There are 38,600 children in families receiving social benefits. 33% of people on social benefits have a “non-western” background. 40% of women from a “non-western” background are on social benefits. In the eyes of the government, “non-western” describes people from outside European Union, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.