One Year Social Support Act

On 1 January 2007 the Social Support Act (Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning, Wmo) came into force in the Netherlands. Under the Act, the municipalities are now responsible for setting up social support. The Wmo is the result of broader policy reform. It puts an end to various rules and regulations for handicapped people and the elderly and encompasses the Services for the Disabled Act (WVG), the Social Welfare Act and parts of the Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (AWBZ). The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport defines the framework in which each municipality can make its own policy, based on the composition and demands of its inhabitants. The firs year local governments were busy handling the transfer of household services from the AWBZ to the Wmo. Several steps are still to be taken to implement essential elements of the Act. The national evaluation plan is presented. Bcause of the complexity of the law scientifc evaluation need to be focused on the essence of the Act: the participation of all citizens, especially vulnerable people, their carers and volunteers, to all facets of society.